Book

Description

Aerobic Exercise as an Adjunct Therapy for People Living with HIV on Antiretroviral Therapy examines the importance of integrating physical exercise into HIV care to improve the health and quality of life of people living with HIV (PLHIV). The book explains that although antiretroviral therapy (ART) has transformed HIV from a fatal disease into a manageable chronic condition, many individuals still experience physical, psychological, and metabolic complications associated with the virus and long-term treatment. These challenges include fatigue, reduced physical fitness, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, depression, anxiety, and reduced immune function. The text begins by explaining HIV, its transmission, and its effects on the immune system. HIV attacks CD4 T-lymphocytes, weakening the body’s ability to fight infections. The progression of HIV from acute infection to clinical latency and eventually AIDS is discussed in detail. The book highlights the critical role of ART in suppressing viral replication, restoring immune function, reducing mortality, and preventing HIV transmission. A major focus of the book is the emergence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among PLHIV as life expectancy improves. Conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and mental health disorders are increasingly common due to chronic inflammation, immune activation, ageing, and ART-related metabolic changes. The text also explains how HIV accelerates biological ageing through DNA changes such as telomere shortening and epigenetic modifications, increasing vulnerability to chronic illnesses. The book strongly promotes exercise as a safe, affordable, and evidence-based intervention for preventing and managing these complications. Aerobic exercise, resistance training, and high-intensity interval training are shown to improve cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength, body composition, immune recovery, and psychological wellbeing. Research findings demonstrate improvements in VO₂ max, walking capacity, lean muscle mass, and reductions in inflammation and cardiovascular risk factors.