Department of Sports Science

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Browsing Department of Sports Science by Author "Annet Nankwanga"

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    Designing safe and effective exercise programs for teenage pregnant mothers: Lessons from evidencebased interventions
    (African Research Reports, 2026-06-11) Mwebaze, Nicholas; Nyadoi Doreeh; Roland Shimey Mukana; Annet Nankwanga; Lumbuye Linika; Elyvania Nabaggala; Jakisa Innocent Onencan; Nahwera Loyce
    Teen pregnancy is a significant global public health problem, especially in low- and middle-income countries like Uganda, where it is associated with increased maternal and neonatal risks. There is evidence that appropriately designed exercise programs can improve physical, psychological and obstetric outcomes in pregnant adolescents. The objective of this review was to summarise current evidence of safe and effective exercise interventions for teenage pregnant mothers. A literature search was performed in databases such as PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar, including studies from 2000 to 2025, on exercise safety, program design and outcomes in adolescent pregnancies. The results showed that moderate-intensity aerobic and strengthening activities such as walking, swimming, dancing, yoga and pelvic floor exercises are generally safe when supervised by qualified personnel. The best programme should be individualised, progressive progression, while, monitoring mothers of their vital signs, warnings of overexertion. Regular participation was associated with improved cardiovascular fitness, fewer gestational complications, improved mood and self-esteem. The study highlights the need for age sensitive, culturally appropriate exercise guidelines and multidisciplinary support from health care providers, physiotherapists and health educators’ future studies should focus on context-specific interventions and long-term outcomes to inform clinical practice and maternal health programmes targeting teenage mothers.
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    Exercise as a preventive and therapeutic strategy for non- communicable diseases in people living with HIV: evidence, mechanisms and clinical implications
    (BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 2026-03-30) Mwebaze, Nicholas; Timothy Makubuya; Loyce Nahwera; Annet Nankwanga; Denis Bwayo; Evert Verhagen
    Objective To synthesise evidence on exercise for preventing and managing non- communicable diseases (NCDs) among HIV clients, emphasising sub- Saharan Africa. Design Narrative review. Data sources Meta- analyses, randomised trials, cohort studies, mechanistic investigations and implementation reports involving adolescents and adults aged 15+ Priority was given to cardiometabolic, musculoskeletal, neurocognitive, immunological, behavioural, safety, feasibility and low- and middle- income country outcomes. Rationale People living with HIV face elevated risk of cardiovascular disease, heart failure and type 2 diabetes due to persistent immune activation, chronic inflammation and treatment related metabolic effects. Exercise is a scalable, low- cost intervention with broad benefits. Results Aerobic and combined aerobic plus resistance training performed ≥3 times weekly for ≥5 weeks improves cardiorespiratory fitness and functional capacity with moderate effects, without adverse effects on CD4 or viral load. Resistance and concurrent training increase strength and lean mass and may attenuate bone mineral density loss. Exercise reduces depressive symptoms, improves quality of life and benefits attention and executive function. Mechanistic studies report reduced pro inflammation, improved endothelial function, enhanced mitochondrial capacity and greater antioxidant defence. Feasibility is high with appropriate screening and progression and with adaptations for neuropathy, frailty, pregnancy, low bone density and multimorbidity. Task shifting, digital or community delivery improve uptake despite limited evidence. Conclusions Exercise should be integrated into HIV and NCD care using frequency, intensity, time and type principles. Programmes require risk stratification, age and sex sensitivity and behaviour change support. Further research should evaluate mechanistic endpoints, high- intensity interval training dosing, pragmatic delivery models and economic outcomes in low- and middle- income countries.