Table 1 Characteristics of Included Studies

Agin, 2001 (U.S.A)

28–66

Women

N = 37

81% (19%)

Progressive Resistance Training

3 sets of 10 exercises

(8–10 repetition / set)

n = 12 (10)

Whey protein (PRO) n = 12 (10)

Combined (PRO-PRE) n = 13 (10)

14 weeks

QoL

MOS survey

Physical activity score significantly increased for PRE group (p = 0.02): general health perceptions (p = 0.03), vitality (p = 0.007)

Anandh, 2014 (India)

41.71 ± 5.73

N = 24

80% (20%)

Progressive Resistance Training.

(10 RM 3x weekly) n = 12 (9)

12 weeks

No exercise

n = 12 (10)

QoL

Immune function

MOS-HIV survey

CD4 count

Effective in increasing CD4 count (E.S = 0.09; p = 0.041) and QoL (p = 0.004)

Baigis, 2002 (USA)

NR

N = 123

80.5% (19.5%)

Aerobic exercise

(75–85% MHR)

n = 68 (52)

15 weeks

No exercise

n = 55 (47)

Immune status

QoL

CD4 count

MOS-HIV

No significant impact of exercise on CD4 count

Significance on MOS-HIV overall health subscale (p = 0.02)

Ezema, 2014 (Nigeria)

22–63

NR

N = 33

91% (9%)

Aerobic exercise

(60–79% MHR)

n = 17 (15)

8 weeks

Conventional therapy

n = 16 (15)

Immune function

CD4 count

Increase CD4 count in the exercise group compared to control (ES = 0.7)

Farinatti, 2010 (Brazil)

45 ± 2 years

NR

N = 27

87% (13%)

Aerobic training (30 mins. of moderate intensity exercise (cycle ergometer), PWC 150); strengthening exercise-50mins (2 sets of 12 reps of 5 exercises at 60–80% 12 RM); and flexibility exercise- 10 min (2 sets of 30s at max. ROM of 8 exercises).

12 weeks

No treatment

Immune function

CD4 count

There was no significant change in the CD4-T cell counts either in the exercise group or the control group

Galantino, 2005 (Rwanda)

20–60 years

N = 51

75% (25]

EX intended to foster strength, endurance, and cardiovascular exertion. (60–70% MHR).

8 weeks

Maintain normal activity

QoL

(MOS-HIV) and Spirituality Well-Being Scale (SWB).

Exercise training improved quality of life

Gillespie, 1997 (United State)

27–46

N = 23

78.3% (21.7%)

Aerobic exercise

(60–80% MHR)

n = 11(6)

12 weeks

No exercise.

n = 12

QoL

MOS-HIV

No significant difference between exercise and control groups on MOS-HIV

Maduagwu, 2015 (Nigeria)

39.57 ± 10.13

N = 82

78% (22%)

Moderate intensity aerobic exercise (treadmill)

50–70% HRR

n = 41 (32)

12 weeks

Maintain routine daily activities

n = 41 (32)

Immune function

CD4 count

Significant improvement of CD4 count between pre-test and post-test in the experimental group (ES = 0.8)

Maharaj, 2011

(South Africa)

NR

N = 52

50% (50%)

Aerobic exercise.

(50–70% MHR)

n = 26 (20)

12 weeks

SWD (as a placebo)

n = 26 (6)

QoL

SF-36 Questionnaire

QoL significantly improved for the experimental group compared with the control.

Physical component (ES = 0.3; p < 0.018)

Mental component

(ES = 0.2; p < 0.021)

Mkandla, 2016 (Zimbabwe)

42.2 ± 8.5

N = 160

40% (60%)

Progressive Resistance Exercise intervention

To lower limb

n = 80 (29)

12 weeks

Usual advice + normal activities

n = 80 (35)

QoL

(EQ-5D)

Euro quality of life-5 dimension

significantly improved (HRQOL) in the intervention when compared to the control group measured using the state of health visual analogue(p = 0.04)

Mutimura, 2008 (Rwanda)

21–50 years

N = 100

97% (3%)

EXC include warmup (15 min) followed by 45–60 min of jogging, running, stair climbing, low-back & abdominal stabilization and strengthening exercises

24 weeks

No treatment

QoL

WHOQOL-BREF

Exercise training improved several components of QoL in HAART-treated HIV+ African subjects with body fat distribution

Ogalha, 2011 (Brazil)

43.15 ± 9.45

N = 70

90% (10%)

Aerobic exercise

(75% MHR)

n = 35

24 weeks

Counseling

n = 35(28)

QoL

Immune function

SF-36

CD4 count

Higher significance for patient in exercise group concerning general health, vitality and mental health

significant improvement for CD4 (ES = 0.2; p = 0.001)

Perna, 1999 (USA)

36.75 ± 6.27

N = 43

65% (35%)

Aerobic exercise

(70–80 MHR)

n = 24 (18)

12 weeks

No exercise

n = 19 (10)

Immune function

CD4 count

Significant increase with compliant exercises (ES = 0.9 p < 0.02), while significant decrease for non-compliant and control with a decrease of about 10%

Smith 2001 (U.S.A)

36 ± 6.6

N = 60

82% (18%)

Aerobic exercise training

(60–80% MHR)

n = 30 (19)

12 weeks

No exercise

n = 30

Immune function

CD4 count

No significant change in CD4 cell count

Stringer 1998 (U.S.A)

36 ± 9

N = 34

76% (23%)

Aerobic exercise

(Cycle ergometer)

Moderate intensity

(n = 9)

6 weeks

Maintain current level of activity

n = 8

Heavy intensity Aerobic exercise

n = 9

Immune function

QoL

CD4 count

A subset of QoL questionnaire validated prior HIV studies

Minimal change among the thee group

Improvement occurred in both exercise training groups relative to control group.

Terry, 2006 (Brazil)

37.5 ± 8.5

N = 42

71% (29%)

Aerobic exercise

(70–85% MHR)

n = 21 (15)

12 weeks

Soft stretching and relaxation routine.

n = 21(15)

Immune function

CD4 count

No significant change after exercise

Terry, 1999

(Brazil)

31 ± 8

N = 31

68% (32%)

Aerobic exercise Moderate intensity

(55–60% MHR)

n = 16 (10)

12 weeks

Aerobic exercise

High intensity

(75–85 MHR)

n = 15 (11)

Immune function

CD4 count

No appreciable changes in the moderate or high intensity exercise group

Yar’zever, 2013 (Nigeria)

39.2 ± 12.75 yrs. N = 40

93% (7%)

Aerobic exercise (cycle ergometer) (50–60 MHR)

n = 20

12 weeks

Normal daily activities n = 20 (17)

Immune function

CD4 count

Significant deference in CD4 count between pre and post experimental group (ES = 0.4; p < 0.05) and decrease viral load, while control had a decrease in CD4 count and increase viral load

Zanetti, 2016

(Brazil)

41.1 ± 10.1

N = 30

NR

Resistance exercise 3 sets of 6 exercise (6–12 RM/set) n = 15

12 weeks

Maintain daily habit n = 15

Immune function

CD4 count

Increase in CD4 count from pre- post intervention.