Effect of aerobic exercise programme on cardiovascular parameters and CD4 count of subjects living with HIV/AIDS: A randomized controlled trial

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the effect of 8 weeks aerobic exercise training on CD4 count of subjects living with HIV/AIDSMethods: Age matched randomized controlled trial design was used; subjects living with HIV/AIDS receiving treatment in President¿s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) at the HIV clinic of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku Ozalla. Enugu. Thirty subjects (N=30) with HIV/AIDS (mean CD4 count range of 504.13±231.61 cells/mm3) were age matched and randomized to two groups: exercise (n= 15) and control (n=15) groups. The exercise group involved in an 8 weeks moderate intensity continuous exercise training (60%--79% HR max) of between 45 and 60 min, 3 times per week, while the controls group remain sedentary. SBP, DBP, VO2 max and CD4 count were assessed. Analysis of co-variance and Pearson correlation tests were used in data analysisResults: Findings of the study revealed significant effect of moderate intensity continuous exercise training program on, SBP, DBP, VO2max and CD4 count at p< 0.05. Changes in VO2 max significantly correlated with changes in CD4 count (r= .528) at p< 0.05.Conclusion: It was concluded that moderate intensity aerobic exercise programme is effective adjunct therapy and in boosting the CD4 count in subjects living with HIV/AIDS.