The Most Suitable Exercises for People with AIDS

About AIDS

AIDS, or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), is a chronic infection that leads to multiple immunological disorders, including the gradual decline in the number and function of CD4+ T cells, ultimately resulting in immune system failure. HIV virus enters T cells through CD4 surface receptors and, after inserting its viral DNA, causes the cell’s death. Since CD4+ T cells are the most important regulatory cell population in cellular immune responses, the depletion of these cells has acute consequences for immune function. In fact, individuals infected with HIV are more susceptible to opportunistic infections and autoimmune disorders. Currently, HIV infection is chronic and may go undiagnosed for a long period, only appearing as Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) after 10-15 years of asymptomatic infection. The AIDS syndrome has posed significant health risks to millions of people. Despite extensive scientific research in recent decades, no specific treatment or vaccine has been discovered to prevent it, resulting in many deaths.

The Impact of Exercise on AIDS

Regular physical activity has many beneficial effects on both physical and mental health. Although regular exercise has shown beneficial changes in patients with AIDS, its exact mechanism of action is not well understood, as the effects of physical activity combine with the symptoms of AIDS. The relationship between physical activity and disease factors shows that increased physical fitness leads to a reduction in harmful factors. Ultimately, it is inferred that a regular training program, in addition to beneficial changes in CD4+ cell count and functional capacity, delays the mortality and morbidity effects in individuals with AIDS. Unfortunately, individuals with AIDS suffer from reduced aerobic capacity due to lung dysfunction, anemia, poor physical fitness, cardiovascular dysfunction, and limitations in oxygen delivery to peripheral muscles. Some research suggests that aerobic fitness increases CD4+ immune system cell count, but other studies show that even a combination of resistance and aerobic exercises does not affect CD4+ cell count or viral load. The observed changes in CD4+ cell count are also influenced by the socioeconomic status of individuals, with those under greater economic or social stress showing more significant changes in their CD4+ cells. Additionally, the intensity of physical activity affects the changes in CD4+ cells. Physical activity must reach a certain intensity threshold to impact immune system factors. HIV infection or AIDS should not prevent a person from engaging in physical activity; incorporating moderate-intensity activities such as cycling, hiking, and swimming into the daily routine of an individual with AIDS, at least three days a week, slows the progression of the disease. Studies show that the more physically active a person is, the better they can control HIV activity in their body and cope better with other AIDS-related diseases such as diabetes, depression, and joint pain.

Exercises People with AIDS Can Engage In

People with AIDS can participate in any exercise they enjoy, such as:

• Swimming

• Cycling

• Hiking

• Yoga

• Running

• Skiing

These individuals should incorporate these activities into their exercise routine, unless they have conditions such as open sores, vomiting, confusion, or severe muscle-bone pain, in which case they should stop physical activity. Exercise reduces the individual's mental stress; having stress weakens the immune system, allowing the virus to overpower the body. Moderate-intensity aerobic activity not only strengthens the immune system but also reduces stress, anxiety, fatigue, and depression.

Benefits of Exercise for People with AIDS

Exercise helps prevent increased blood sugar levels and insulin resistance. People infected with the HIV virus who take highly active antiretroviral drugs often develop high blood sugar or become resistant to insulin. Other AIDS drugs, such as protease inhibitors, also contribute to diabetes. Regular moderate-intensity exercise prevents obesity, high blood sugar, and insulin resistance. Exercise also reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases in people with AIDS. Daily moderate-intensity aerobic exercises play a significant role in inducing a positive attitude toward life in an individual with AIDS. Exercise strengthens bone tissue; people with AIDS are prone to osteoporosis and the breakdown of muscle-bone tissue. Aerobic exercises, combined with weight-bearing exercises like standing exercises, squats, or step training, significantly strengthen bone tissue and reduce the progression of osteoporosis. Exercise also helps prevent muscle and fat wasting syndrome in AIDS patients. In the early 1990s, many people with AIDS lost muscle and fat tissue rapidly due to the action of certain proteins, leading to death. However, with advancements in AIDS treatment, the onset of this syndrome is much less common today. Aerobic exercises with moderate intensity prevent the destructive action of these proteins and help strengthen muscle tissue.

How Should People with AIDS Start Their Exercise Routine?

If a person with AIDS has not been physically active before and has not exercised, they should first consult with their doctor. After receiving approval from their doctor, they should consult a physical therapist for an initial physical health assessment. Based on this assessment, they should incorporate aerobic (heart-rate-raising) exercises and weight-bearing exercises into their daily routine. Initially, they should warm up with light exercises and cool down with stretching exercises after the workout. The individual should avoid very intense and heavy exercises that could compromise their safety. They should gradually increase their aerobic capacity so that over time, they can exercise four days a week, with each session lasting 40 minutes. Additionally, if they have never exercised before, the first six weeks should be devoted to aerobic exercises, after which they can begin weight training. The person should exercise within their capabilities and, if unable to walk or run in the park, they can exercise in water or perform seated exercises.

I hope you enjoyed the therapeutic sports content. Feel free to share this with those affected by this disease. Also, for more in-depth content, you can visit the Sports World section of Saad News. Thank you so much for being with us!