Browsing by Author "Mwebaze, Nicholas"

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Aerobic exercise protocol for people living with HIV : a logic model approach
(Turkish Journal of Kinesiology, 2025-06-30) Mwebaze, Nicholas; Nsibambi, Constance A. N.; Ojara, Ricky Richard; Chebet, Milton; Rukanga, Julius Ceasor; Opio, Paul; Nabaggala, Elyvania; Lumbuye, Linika; Nahwera, Loyce
There are many challenges that people living with HIV (PLHIV) often face including psychological health challenges such as muscle loss, fatigue, and mental health disorders. Regular physical activity, particularly aerobic exercise, has been shown to improve cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and mental well-being. However, there are not many clear exercise guides with evidence for practitioners and PLHIV to use as a reference while engaging in physical activities. Therefore, a structured and supervised exercise programs were designed tailored to the specific needs of PLHIV was tested and found effective. The study utilized a logic model to design, implement, and evaluate a supervised aerobic exercise program aimed at improving clinical outcomes among PLHIV. The logic model served as a framework to align inputs, activities, and expected outcomes, ensuring a systematic and evidence-based approach. A detailed exercise protocol for 6 days a week was designed for clients to engage in at least 3 days with not less than 2 days of rest in a week. A total of 135 participants were enrolled and randomly assigned 67 to experimental and 67 control group. The experimental group engaged in a five-phase aerobic exercise regimen, including warm-up, endurance training, cool-down, recovery, and flexibility exercises, performed three times per week with music set at 120–150 BPM to guide intensity. The control group was followed-up with weekly phone calls to ensure they don’t feel left out of the study. Clinical outcomes, including immunological markers (CD4 cell count), functional work capacity, and psychological well-being, were assessed before and after the intervention. Results indicated significant improvements with a p-value of < 0.01 in: aerobic capacity, muscle strength, mental health, and immune function among participants in the exercise group compared to controls. These findings suggest that this aerobic exercise protocol is a safe and effective complementary intervention for improving the quality of health in PLHIV. Incorporating supervised exercise programs using this protocol into routine HIV care could enhance long-term health outcomes and overall well-being in this population. This exercise protocol is therefore recommended for use in people living with HIV.
Effects of aerobic exercise on health outcomes and quality of health in people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy
(Advances in Health and Exercise, 2025-05-18) Mwebaze, Nicholas; Chebet, Milton; Linika, Lumbuye; Nabaggala, Elyvania; Nahwera, Loyce
HIV remains a global major public health issue and the cases in developing countries are so high. Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) plays a big role in reducing the morbidity and mortality among the people living with HIV (PLHIV). The ART is associated with long-term side effects including an increased risk of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. These complications negatively impact the quality of life of PLHIV, necessitating holistic approaches to care. While ART controls viral replication, complementary strategies, including lifestyle interventions like exercise, are essential to mitigate NCDs. Exercise, particularly aerobic and resistance training, has been shown to improve cardiovascular health, metabolic function, and psychological well-being in PLHIV. Specific exercises such as walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, and weight training can help manage NCDs effectively when tailored to an individual’s fitness level and health needs. Supervised exercise programs, led by professionals such as clinical exercise physiologists, are critical to ensure safety, optimize benefits, and encourage adherence. These programs could be integrated into HIV care to provide structured and effective interventions. In limited resource countries, access to exercise facilities, and a lack of trained professionals present significant barriers to implementing exercise programs for PLHIV. Additionally, cultural misconceptions and a lack of awareness about the role of exercise in health management hinder uptake. However, from the reviewed papers, research gaps exist regarding context-specific exercise protocols, the long-term benefits of supervised exercise, and how to best implement these programs in resource-limited settings. In conclusion, structured exercise programs hold great potential to improve health outcomes and quality of life for PLHIV on ART. Addressing existing barriers and conducting further research are essential to maximize the impact of exercise as a tool for managing NCDs in this population.
Implications of aerobic exercise on clinical outcomes of HIV positive clients in Uganda: a case of general military hospital-Bombo
(Kyambogo University [unpublished work], 2024-10) Mwebaze, Nicholas
Aerobic exercise may be a helpful treatment for a variety of ART side effects and symptoms, according to studies from both healthy individuals and those with various chronic illnesses. The use of aerobic exercise to address the symptoms, and undesirable side effects that lower the quality of life for people with chronic HIV infection is currently being investigated. This study's primary goal was to determine how aerobic exercise affected the clinical outcomes of HIV-positive patients receiving antiretroviral therapy in Uganda. It further aimed at evaluating the effect of a 12 weeks aerobic exercise on immunological measures, functional work capacity and psychological markers of HIV positive clients on ART in Uganda. The study, conducted at the General Military Hospital in Uganda, employed a quasi-experimental design. Quantitative data was collected using questionnaires and a sample of 135 people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy engaged in the study. Quantitative data was analyzed using t-tests, revealing significant reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms among participants. The participants were divided into two groups at random: Group 1, which received a moderately intense aerobic exercise program for twelve weeks, and Group 2, which received no treatment. Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) was used to screen both groups. Clinical outcomes, like: immunological measurements, were then evaluated using Clusters of Differentiation 4 (CD4), Functional work capacity using Rate of Perceived Extortion (RPE)/ Duke Activity Status Index (DASI) and psychological markers using a questionnaire. The aerobic exercise intervention was administered to the experimental group for twelve weeks. Members of the control group were called weekly to make a follow up on them during the 12 weeks and ensure that they did not feel left out of the survey. Following the completion of the 12-week post-test, the results showed that: (i) aerobic exercises significantly increased the CD4 count in experimental group with an average mean of 29.7% and a p=0.001; (ii) It had a statistically significant effect the functional work capacity of HIV positive clients on ART with p<0.001 which was less than initial p= 0.05, a decreased heart rate, significantly improved VO2 max from 25.13 ml/kg/min to 34.19 ml/kg/min and (iii) it also had significant effect on psychological markers indicating a decrease in paranoid ideation, depression, neuroticism, anxiety, and phobia in HIV positive clients on ART with p-value<0.001. Therefore, well-structured supervised 12 weeks moderate intensity aerobic exercises at a tempo of 120-150 beats per minute improved CD4 cell in the body of HIV positive clients on ART. It also improved the clinical outcomes of people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy. It is recommended that aerobic exercise be used as an additional therapy in the care and treatment of HIV positive clients on ART in Uganda by adding it in the HIV care and treatment guidelines. There is also need to investigate the effect of aerobic exercise on other clinical outcome like viral load, body composition and adherence to drugs.
Implications of aerobic exercise on clinical outcomes of HIV positive clients in Uganda: a case of general military hospital-Bombo
(Kyambogo University (Unpublished work), 2024-10) Mwebaze, Nicholas
Aerobic exercise may be a helpful treatment for a variety of ART side effects and symptoms, according to studies from both healthy individuals and those with various chronic illnesses. The use of aerobic exercise to address the symptoms, and undesirable side effects that lower the quality of life for people with chronic HIV infection is currently being investigated. This study's primary goal was to determine how aerobic exercise affected the clinical outcomes of HIV-positive patients receiving antiretroviral therapy in Uganda. It further aimed at evaluating the effect of a 12 weeks aerobic exercise on immunological measures, functional work capacity and psychological markers of HIV positive clients on ART in Uganda. The study, conducted at the General Military Hospital in Uganda, employed a quasi-experimental design. Quantitative data was collected using questionnaires and a sample of 135 people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy engaged in the study. Quantitative data was analyzed using t-tests, revealing significant reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms among participants. The participants were divided into two groups at random: Group 1, which received a moderately intense aerobic exercise program for twelve weeks, and Group 2, which received no treatment. Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) was used to screen both groups. Clinical outcomes, like: immunological measurements, were then evaluated using Clusters of Differentiation 4 (CD4), Functional work capacity using Rate of Perceived Extortion (RPE)/ Duke Activity Status Index (DASI) and psychological markers using a questionnaire. The aerobic exercise intervention was administered to the experimental group for twelve weeks. Members of the control group were called weekly to make a follow up on them during the 12 weeks and ensure that they did not feel left out of the survey. Following the completion of the 12-week post-test, the results showed that: (i) aerobic exercises significantly increased the CD4 count in experimental group with an average mean of 29.7% and a p=0.001; (ii) It had a statistically significant effect the functional work capacity of HIV positive clients on ART with p<0.001 which was less than initial p= 0.05, a decreased heart rate, significantly improved VO2 max from 25.13 ml/kg/min to 34.19 ml/kg/min and (iii) it also had significant effect on psychological markers indicating a decrease in paranoid ideation, depression, neuroticism, anxiety, and phobia in HIV positive clients on ART with p-value<0.001. Therefore, well-structured supervised 12 weeks moderate intensity aerobic exercises at a tempo of 120-150 beats per minute improved CD4 cell in the body of HIV positive clients on ART. It also improved the clinical outcomes of people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy. It is recommended that aerobic exercise be used as an additional therapy in the care and treatment of HIV positive clients on ART in Uganda by adding it in the HIV care and treatment guidelines. There is also need to investigate the effect of aerobic exercise on other clinical outcome like viral load, body composition and adherence to drugs.
Physical activity patterns and fitness status of A and B division soldiers of Uganda peoples' defense forces
(Kyambogo University [unpublished work], 2014-01) Mwebaze, Nicholas
The main objective of this study was to assess physical activity patterns and fitness status of soldiers in A and B Divisions of UPDF. The study employed a cross-sectional survey, a preexperimental research design and a stratified sampling procedure was used to select 200 subjects based on division and duration of service. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0. Descriptive statistics was also used which included; mean, mode, standard deviation percentages and frequencies. ANOV A was performed to examine the differences. A p-value S 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The study found out that most soldiers engage in physical activities around their home and work place. However, 70% of the subjects registered no leisure time activity at all which would be the best since its contribution to fitness can easily be measured. The study found no significant difference in law back and hamstring flexibility. The findings also indicated that, there was a significant difference between the junior and senior soldiers in core muscle endurance, and aerobic endurance, with a p value of 0.005 for sit ups, 0.000 for push-ups and 0.002 for a two mile run. The study concluded that majority of the subjects do not engage in leisure time activities and the performance of the subjects compared to the US standards was good. It was recommended that there is a need to conduct regular fitness tests, increase the official time for sports. The study also emphasized the need to sensitize soldiers on the importance of fitness, the need for commanders to be given a duty to ensure the fitness of their soldiers which will make work and responsibility distributed easily to ensure all soldiers engage in fitness activities.
The influence of a twelve weeks aerobic exercise regimen on neuroticism in HIV positive clients in Uganda
(International Journal of Sport Culture and Science, 2025-06-28) Mwebaze, Nicholas; Nsibambi, Constance A.N.; Ojuka, Edward; Maghanga, Mshilla
Highly active antiretrovirals have led to a considerable drop in HIV-related morbidity and mortality and a large increase in the life expectancy of HIV positive individuals in Uganda. The likelihood of clinicians coming across people exhibiting neuroticism symptoms associated with the illness has been reported to be on the increase. As much as exercising has been established to have positive effects is alleviating such symptoms, it is noted that, 52% of the population do not follow an exercise regimen and the problem has persisted. This study assessed the influence of aerobic exercise on neuroticism symptoms in HIV positive clients attending an ART clinic in Uganda. A quasi-experimental research design with 67 volunteers in each of the pre- and post-test control groups. The results reveal that at the pre-test stage, all the experimental group participants reported experiencing some form of neuroticism. However, after the aerobic exercises, 80.8% of the experimental study participants reported having been relieved of neuroticism symptoms. In this instance, the experimental group’s p-value was smaller than the alpha level (.05) since the test took a 95% threshold for significance. These results imply that aerobic exercises have a significant effect on reducing neuroticism in HIV positive clients on ART.
Twelve Weeks Aerobic Exercise Improves Anxiety and Depression in HIV Positive Clients on Art in Uganda
(İbrahim ERDEMİR, 2024-12-31) Mwebaze, Nicholas ; Nsibambi, Constance Adron Nakayiza ; Ojuka, Edward ; Maghanga, Mshilla
Aim: The study aimed at bridging the gap by assessing the impact of a 12-week aerobic exercise program on anxiety and depression for HIV-positive clients. Methods: The study, conducted at the General Military Hospital in Uganda, employed a quasi-experimental design. Quantitative data was collected using questionnaires and a sample of 135 people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy engaged in the study. Quantitative data was analyzed using t-tests, revealing significant reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms among participants. Results: The findings demonstrated a 58.5% reduction in depression symptoms and a 72% decrease in anxiety symptoms among participants engaged in aerobic exercises. Both groups exhibited improvements, with the experimental group showing greater reductions. The results further revealed that depression and anxiety are two to four times more common in individuals living with HIV than in those without the virus, and depression is also more common in those on HAART than in those without the virus. Conclusion: The results support the potential of aerobic exercise as a valuable adjunct therapy for people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy. Well-structured and supervised aerobic exercise was found to be essential for improving the clinical outcomes of PLHIV on ART.