Effects Of Exercise For People Research Articles

Mechanisms hypothesized for pain-relieving effects of exercise in fibromyalgia: a scoping review.

Exercise is one of the most recommended management strategies by treatment guidelines for fibromyalgia (FM); however, the mechanism through which exercise improves pain in FM is still unknown. We aimed to summarize the hypothesized theoretical mechanisms for the pain-relieving effects of exercise in people with FM. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in English reporting mechanisms for pain-relieving effects of exercise in the 'Introduction' and 'Discussion' sections and significant within- group or between-group effects of exercise interventions were included. We searched the databases Ovid MEDLINE(R), EMBASE, CINAHL, COCHRANE, Sports Discuss, and AMED with the keywords: exercise and fibromyalgia until December 2021. Two authors independently performed title/abstract, full-text review, and data abstraction using a data abstraction form. The hypothesized mechanisms from individual studies were grouped into three categories. The literature search resulted in 2147 studies, out of which 220 studies were considered for full-text review. A total of 50 RCTs proposing 29 unique mechanisms for the pain-relieving effects of exercise were included. These mechanisms were divided into three categories: physical, neuro-physiological, and psychological. The neuro-physiological category was further subdivided into exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH), pain sensitization, the autonomic system, the immune system, the endocrine system, and miscellaneous categories. The most frequently hypothesized mechanisms were EIH (n = 15), autonomic modulation (n = 7), improved sleep (n = 6), muscle oxygenation (n = 6), self-efficacy (n = 5), mental health (n = 4), and benefits of the aquatic environment (n = 12). While all exercise interventions involved FM patients, most of the supporting evidence for these mechanisms was cited from previous studies conducted on healthy samples. No studies performed analyses to demonstrate causal associations between the mechanisms and outcomes. Multiple mechanisms were hypothesized for the positive influence of exercise in people with FM. Future studies using causal analyses, such as mediation analysis, are recommended to validate these mechanisms.

Effects of Exercise in People with Severe Mental Illness and Recommendations for its Implementation as Add-on Therapy

There are many reasons for people with (and without) severe mental illness to exercise regularly. In people with schizophrenia, major depression and bipolar disorder, it has already been shown that regular physical activity as an add-on therapy can improve quality of life and symptom severity. This is particularly important in domains that standard therapy is currently not able to treat sufficiently, such as cognitive deficits. Postulated underlying neurobiological effects include increased volume in hippocampal areas as demonstrated by data of a current clinical trial in people with schizophrenia.Furthermore, regular exercise is essential to counteract the increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality of people with severe mental illness. However, most people with severe mental illness do not achieve the recommended amount of physical activity and the potential of exercise as an add-on therapy is currently not even close to being fully realized. On the one hand, it is important that mental health staff also considers the physical condition of patients with mental illnesses and counsels them on their health behavior. On the other hand, there is a need for individually adapted training programs delivered by qualified exercise professionals that incorporate motivational and adherence strategies. Examples of barriers and facilitators for the implementation of exercise as an add-on therapy are discussed on the basis of current local projects.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Effects of Exercise in the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease: An Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses.

The authors aimed to provide an overview of the evidence on the effects of exercise in people with Alzheimer's disease through a comprehensive review of the existing systematic reviews and meta-analyses. A literature search was performed in CINAHL, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Scopus, and Web of Science databases according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The AMSTAR-2-Tool was used for the quality assessment. Twenty-three reviews fulfilled the criteria. Most of the reviews investigated the effects of aerobic exercise on Alzheimer's disease symptoms. The largest effects of exercise were seen in terms of improved cognition by multiple exercises. The majority of the reviews were rated as being of moderate quality and none were classified as having high quality. Exercise is an effective way to treat Alzheimer's disease symptoms and has a low incidence of related adverse events. As most reviews were evaluated as low-moderate quality, caution is needed in the interpretation of the results.

Neurologists’ knowledge of and attitudes toward physical exercise for people with epilepsy in Latin America

IntroductionDespite the favorable effects of exercise in people with epilepsy (PWE), the lower participation in physical/sports activities may be partly due to inadequate knowledge and attitudes of health professional about their benefits. In this regard, in 2016, the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) through its Task Force on Sports and Epilepsy published a consensus paper that provided general guidance concerning participation in exercise/sport activities for PWE. We investigated views and attitudes toward physical exercise practice among neurologists in Latin America. MethodsA 22-item cross-sectional online questionnaire-based study among neurologists included the following: (1) profile of participating neurologists, (2) doctors’ attitudes and perceptions about physical/sport activities for PWE, and (3) neurologist experience concerning patient’s report about their involvement in physical/sport activities. ResultsIn total, 215 of 519 neurologists from 16 different countries returned the questionnaire. Although about one-third of neurologists had no information about the effect of exercise on epilepsy, and 60% of them did not know the published recommendations of the ILAE Task Force on Sports and Epilepsy, the majority (92.5%) advised the practice of exercise, were aware of sport activities for their patients and agreed that exercise can reduce comorbidities associated with epilepsy (X2 = 249.34; p < 0.001). Most of the neurologists did not believe that exercise is a seizure-inducing factor, but more than half would restrict their patients with uncontrolled seizures for exercise practice (X2 = 250.77; p < 0.001). Most barriers considered by PWE in the past, currently are not viewed by neurologists and their patients (X2 = 249.34; p < 0.001). ConclusionWhile this study reveals that neurologists have some knowledge gaps in attitudes toward physical exercise for PWE, encouraging attitudes were observed by neurologists. Considering that physicians can impact on patient confidence and decision, a better communication between neurologists and their patients concerning the benefits of exercise can increase PWE participation in physical/sports activities. To improve this scenario, more efforts should be made to increase the neurologists’ knowledge and perceptions on this issue.

Scientific critique on the effects of supervised exercise program and home exercise program in patients with systemic sclerosis: A randomized controlled trial

Dear Editor, We read with great interest the article by Yakut et al,1 which focused on comparing the effects of a supervised exercise program and a home-based exercise program in people with systemic sclerosis (SSc). The study concludes that both exercise programs can improve functional capacity and health status in people with SSc. Nevertheless, we remain sceptical about the validity of this study's conclusions, because of the number of important limitations that this study has. First, the study is based on an incomplete literature review. Namely, the authors mention that there is “limited evidence of the effectiveness and safety of exercise in people with SSc”, and that there is “no study that has examined the effects of supervised exercise on aerobic and resistance training”. This is incorrect, as at least our group has published three, open-access papers,2-4 dated between 2018 and 2020, which establish the feasibility and safety of a supervised exercise program consisting of aerobic and resistance training in people with SSc, papers that also hint at elements of effectiveness as well. Second, the study's aim remains generic, exploring the effects of exercise through multiple baseline assessments, rather than focusing on the SSc-specific pathology and the pragmatic needs of people with this clinical condition. Third, the study design itself presents several limitations. (a) The age range is limited to between 35 and 65 years, therefore excluding a significant number of age groups of people with SSc; this raises ethical as well as applicability questions for the current results. (b) The applicability and reliability of the results is challenged further by the absence of a control group. (c) The article notes that the exercise intervention was created based on relevant literature and exercise programs that have been implemented in people with rheumatic and respiratory diseases. However, the included references are not related to any exercise interventions or recommendations of people with rheumatic diseases. We are surprised that your reviewers failed to notice such an important omission. (d) The training intensity, and concomitantly the training dose, both in resistance and aerobic training seems arbitrary with a large deviation of a 30% (eg, 50%-80% of one-repetition maximum; 1RM) and 45% (eg, 40%-85% of heart rate reserve), respectively. This challenges the consistency and replicability of the final outcomes. For example, an individual who would perform a resistance exercise at 50% of 1RM would rest for 2 minutes, questioning the aim, effectiveness, and progression of this resistance protocol, supporting this concern on the basic training principles of resistance training.5 (e) Another concern is in relation to the assessment of progression to greater resistance levels, which was assessed by the individual's ability to perform 12 or more repetitions. Common good practice suggests that in order to track progression based on the repetition there should be a stable resting period and intensity.5 This did not happen in this study, as the implemented resistance protocol (50%-80% of 1RM) suggests. Fourthly, the selection of 20 minutes walking on the treadmill and 10 minutes on the cycle ergometer, totalling 30 minutes of aerobic exercise, has not been substantiated based on physiological responses, disease pathology, and previous literature. The prescribed intensity of 40%-85% indicates that some participants were exercised above the anaerobic threshold (AT) and others were below the AT.6 Different exercise intensities are associated not only with a shift in blood lactate responses but also with changes in ventilation, oxygen uptake kinetics, and catecholamine responses. For example, constant-intensity exercise within the AT is characterized by a continuous increase in ventilation and Vo2, progressive acidosis, and metabolite accumulation, whereas constant-intensity exercise equal to or below the AT is associated with a physiological steady state. Apparently, the physiological responses varied widely between participants, questioning the applicability and replicability of the current results in this clinical condition. Finally, the current study concludes that the supervised exercise training is superior to a home-based exercise programme; nevertheless, these two exercise programmes cannot be balanced (eg, intensity, modality) and therefore are not comparable. To summarize, the current study: (a) has not included recent literature, (b) lacks a clear rationale of specific outcomes, (c) excludes important (for this condition) age groups, (d) does not have a control group, (e) lacks a specific, training dose that could be replicated, and (f) implements exercise programmes that are not comparable concerning the effects of exercise in people with SSc. Therefore, although we encourage future research clinical trials exploring the effects of exercise in people with SSc, aiming to improve their health-related quality of life, we would like to express our concerns on the conclusions, applicability, and replicability of the current study's results.

Neuroprotective effects of exercise in people with progressive multiple sclerosis (Exercise PRO-MS): study protocol of a phase II trial

BackgroundNeurodegeneration, rather than inflammation, plays a key role in the progressive phase of multiple sclerosis (MS). Current disease modifying treatment options for people with progressive MS (PMS) do not specifically target neurodegeneration. Preliminary evidence suggests that exercise therapy might have neuroprotective effects. However, neuroprotective effect studies of exercise interventions in PMS are scarce and the possible mode of action underlying neuroprotective effects of exercise are unknown and need to be elucidated. The main aim of this phase II trial is to assess whether progressive resistance training (PRT) and high intensity interval training (HIIT), can slow down neurodegeneration in people with PMS.MethodsIn a single-blinded phase II clinical trial with an extended baseline period, 60 people with PMS will be randomly assigned to PRT or HIIT. The participants should have had a relapse onset of MS with confirmed disease progression, however still ambulatory. The duration of the study is 48 weeks, consisting of 16 weeks baseline period (no intervention), 16 weeks intervention and 16 weeks follow-up. Patient-tailored training will be performed 3 times per week for one hour in groups, led by an experienced physiotherapist. The primary outcome measure is neurodegeneration, measured as whole brain atrophy on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Secondary outcome parameters will include other biomarkers associated with neurodegeneration (i.e. regional brain atrophy, lesion load, white matter integrity, resting state functional connectivity, blood biomarkers (brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and serum neurofilament light (sNFL)), patient functioning (physical and cognitive) and cardiovascular risk factors.DiscussionBesides the primary outcome measures, this study will examine a large variety of biomarkers associated with neurodegeneration after an exercise intervention. Combining outcome parameters may help to elucidate the mode of action underlying neuroprotective effects of exercise.Trial registrationThis trial is prospectively registered at the Dutch Trial Registry (number NL8265, date 06-01-2020).

What are the effects of aerobic exercise for people living with and beyond cancer?

What are the effects of aerobic exercise for people living with and beyond cancer?

Effects of exercise in people with haemophilia: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

There is considerable evidence to indicate that exercise can have a positive impact on the treatment of people with haemophilia (PWH). However, there is a requirement for in-depth and comprehensive studies. This study aimed to analyse the evidence regarding the effects of exercise in PWH through an umbrella review of existing systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The secondary objective was to analyse the quality of the evidence. This umbrella review followed the PRISMA guidelines and was documented in the PROSPERO registry (CRD42019140785). We searched the PubMed, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, Scopus, CINAHL and Cochrane Library databases. The methodological quality of the systematic reviews was assessed using AMSTAR 2. Out of a total of 1030 systematic reviews, 10 fulfilled the criteria. Only one study was classified as high quality, and half of the selected studies were classified as low or critically low quality according to AMSTAR 2. Furthermore, most reviews investigated the effects of strength training and aquatic training, with positive results associated with low adverse events. Range of motion, strength and pain were the most investigated variables. All reviews showed overlapping studies. Exercise is an effective way to treat haemophilia and has a low incidence of related adverse events. However, caution is needed in the interpretation of the results due to half of the selected reviews showed low or critically low quality and only one have high quality.

Effect of Exercise Interventions on Anxiety in People with Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Evidence suggests that exercise can alleviate symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). However, it is unclear whether exercise alleviates symptoms of anxiety, present in one-third of people with MS. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigates whether exercise interventions are effective in reducing anxiety in people with MS. CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Controlled Clinical Trials Register were searched to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published up to March 30, 2018. The primary outcome was postintervention difference in anxiety scores between intervention and control groups. Using a restricted maximum likelihood random-effects model, standardized mean differences were pooled and heterogeneity was estimated. Risk of bias was assessed using an a priori modified Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool. Four RCTs with 133 participants were included. Exercise type included walking, aerobic activities, and cycling. Intervention duration ranged from 8 to 26 weeks. The pooled standardized mean difference in anxiety score was -0.16 (95% CI, -0.50 to 0.19), without heterogeneity. Two studies had high risk of bias, and two had some risk of bias. Based on available RCT data, exercise does not seem to have an effect on anxiety in people with MS. These results should be interpreted with caution because studies had concerns of bias and small sample sizes, and anxiety was not the primary outcome measure. Future studies should exhibit sufficient reporting standards, alongside publishing protocols. There is opportunity to investigate the effect of exercise in people with MS experiencing clinically relevant levels of anxiety rather than in the general MS population.

Cardiorespiratory fitness and response to exercise treatment in depression.

Exercise improves cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and reduces depressive symptoms in people with depression. It is unclear if changes in CRF are a predictor of the antidepressant effect of exercise in people with depression. To investigate whether an increase in CRF is a predictor of depression severity reduction after 12 weeks of exercise (trial registration: DRKS study ID, DRKS00008745). The present study includes participants who took part in vigorous (n = 33), moderate (n = 38) and light (n = 39) intensity exercise and had CRF information (as predicted maximal oxygen uptake, V̇O2max) collected before and after the intervention. Depression severity was measured with the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). V̇O2max (L/min) was assessed with the Åstrand-Rhyming submaximal cycle ergometry test. The main analysis was conducted pooling all exercise intensity groups together. All exercise intensities improved V̇O2max in people with depression. Regardless of frequency and intensity of exercise, an increase in post-treatment V̇O2max was significantly associated with reduced depression severity at follow-up (B = -3.52, 95% CI -6.08 to -0.96); adjusting for intensity of exercise, age and body mass index made the association stronger (B = -3.89, 95% CI -6.53 to -1.26). Similarly, increased V̇O2max was associated with higher odds (odds ratio = 3.73, 95% CI 1.22-11.43) of exercise treatment response (≥50% reduction in MADRS score) at follow-up. Our data suggest that improvements in V̇O2max predict a greater reduction in depression severity among individuals who were clinically depressed. This finding indicates that improvements in V̇O2max may be a marker for the underpinning biological pathways for the antidepressant effect of exercise. None.

What are the effects of exercise for people with hip and/or knee osteoarthritis?

What are the effects of exercise for people with hip and/or knee osteoarthritis?

Exercise as treatment for alcohol use disorders: systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectivesTo conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis investigating effects of exercise for people with alcohol use disorders (AUDs) across multiple health outcomes. We also investigated the prevalence and predictors of...

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND EXERCISE

This chapter provides an overview of the role of physical activity and exercise in the management of people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It defines the concepts of physical activity, exercise, and sedentary behaviour and considers how these are measured objectively and subjectively in research studies and clinical practice. The symptoms and disabilities targeted by appropriately prescribed interventions are discussed and the growing evidence base for the effects of exercise in people with RA is highlighted. The recommendations and guidelines for health-enhancing physical activity and exercise prescription are reviewed and the factors that influence adherence to these are acknowledged. Suggestions of how clinicians may adapt their management approach to facilitate the uptake and maintenance of health-enhancing physical activity and exercise are considered.

Physical Training and Activity in People With Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: Paradigm Shift.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) occurs in more than 50% of people with diabetes and is an important risk factor for skin breakdown, amputation, and reduced physical mobility (ie, walking and stair climbing). Although many beneficial effects of exercise for people with diabetes have been well established, few studies have examined whether exercise provides comparable benefits to people with DPN. Until recently, DPN was considered to be a contraindication for walking or any weight-bearing exercise because of concerns about injuring a person's insensitive feet. These guidelines were recently adjusted, however, after research demonstrated that weight-bearing activities do not increase the risk of foot ulcers in people who have DPN but do not have severe foot deformity. Emerging research has revealed positive adaptations in response to overload stress in these people, including evidence for peripheral neuroplasticity in animal models and early clinical trials. This perspective article reviews the evidence for peripheral neuroplasticity in animal models and early clinical trials, as well as adaptations of the integumentary system and the musculoskeletal system in response to overload stress. These positive adaptations are proposed to promote improved function in people with DPN and to foster the paradigm shift to including weight-bearing exercise for people with DPN. This perspective article also provides specific assessment and treatment recommendations for this important, high-risk group.

Exercise therapy in primary biliary cirrhosis: the importance of moving while sitting on a surgical waiting list—a case study

BackgroundIt is being increasingly recognised that reduced cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with poorer outcomes after major surgery. Exercise limitation and reduced aerobic capacity are common in people with end-stage liver...

SAT0451 Supervised Strength Training, NORDIC Walking or Unsupervised Home Based Exercise in Older People with Hip Osteoarthritis? A Randomized Trial

BackgroundHip osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of pain and functional limitations (1). Current international guidelines recommend exercise as part of the core management for people with Hip OA but...

Diabetes severity and the role of leisure time physical exercise on cardiovascular mortality: the Nord-Trøndelag Health study (HUNT), Norway

BackgroundPhysical activity has been associated with lower cardiovascular mortality in people with diabetes, but how diabetes severity influence this association has not been extensively studied.MethodsWe prospectively examined the joint association of diabetes severity, measured as medical treatment status and disease duration, and physical exercise with cardiovascular mortality. A total of 56,170 people were followed up for 24 years through the Norwegian Cause of Death Registry. Cox proportional adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated.ResultsOverall, 7,723 people died from cardiovascular disease during the follow-up. Compared to the reference group of inactive people without diabetes, people with diabetes who reported no medical treatment had a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.65 (95% CI: 1.34, 2.03) if they were inactive and a HR of 0.99 (95% CI: 0.68, 1.45) if they reported ≥2.0 hours physical exercise per week. Among people who received oral hypoglycemic drugs or insulin, the corresponding comparison gave HRs of 2.46 (95% CI: 2.08-2.92) and 1.58 (95% CI: 1.21, 2.05), respectively.ConclusionsThe data suggest a more favourable effect of exercise in people with diabetes who used medication than in those who did not, suggesting that physical exercise should be encouraged as a therapeutic measure additional to medical treatment.

Randomised controlled trial examining the effect of exercise in people with rheumatoid arthritis taking anti-TNFα therapy medication

BackgroundSubstantial progress has been made in the medical management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) over the past decade with the introduction of biologic therapies, including anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNFα) therapy medications. However, individuals with RA taking anti-TNFα medication continue to experience physical, psychological and functional consequences, which could potentially benefit from rehabilitation. There is evidence that therapeutic exercise should be included as an intervention for people with RA, but to date there is little evidence of the benefits of therapeutic exercise for people with RA on anti-TNFα therapy medication. A protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled three-armed study which aims to examine the effect of dynamic group exercise therapy on land or in water for people with RA taking anti-TNFα therapy medication is described.Methods/DesignSix hundred and eighteen individuals with RA, on anti-TNFα therapy medication, will be randomised into one of 3 groups: a land-based exercise group; a water-based exercise group or a control group. The land and water-based groups will exercise for one hour, twice a week for eight weeks. The control group will receive no intervention and will be asked not to alter their exercise habits for the duration of the study. The primary outcome measure, the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI) which measures functional ability, and secondary measures of pain, fatigue and quality of life, will be assessed at baseline, eight and 24 weeks by an independent assessor unaware of group allocation. Changes in outcome from 0 to 8 weeks and 0 to 24 weeks in the 'land-based exercise group versus control group' and the 'water-based exercise group versus control group' will be examined. Analysis will be conducted on an intention to treat basis.DiscussionThis trial will evaluate the effectiveness of group exercise therapy on land or in water, for people with RA taking anti-TNFα therapy medication. If these exercise groups are found to be beneficial, they could be conducted in local community facilities thus making these forms of exercise more easily accessible for individuals and potentially reduce the burden on health services.Trial RegistrationThis trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (a service of the United States National Institutes of Health) identifier: NCT00855322.

Narrative, Identity, and Recovery from Serious Mental Illness: A Life History of a Runner

In recent years, researchers have investigated the psychological effects of exercise for people with mental health problems, often by focusing on how exercise may alleviate symptoms of mental illness. In this article I take a different tack to explore the ways in which exercise contributed a sense of meaning, purpose, and identity to the life of one individual named Ben, a runner diagnosed with schizophrenia. Drawing on life history data, I conducted an analysis of narrative to explore the narrative types that underlie Ben's stories of mental illness and exercise. For Ben, serious mental illness profoundly disrupted a pre-existing athletic identity removing agency, continuity, and coherence from his life story. By returning to exercise several years later, Ben reclaimed his athletic identity and reinstated some degree of narrative agency, continuity, and coherence. While the relationships between narrative, identity, and mental health are undoubtedly complex, Ben's story suggests that exercise can contribute to recovery by being a personally meaningful activity which reinforces identity and sense of self.

Aerobic exercise interventions for people with HIV/AIDS.

The profile of HIV infection is constantly changing. Although once viewed as an illness progressing to death, HIV infection now presents as a chronic infection characterized by unpredictable cycles of wellness and illness. Thus, the needs of this population have increasingly included management of impairments, disabilities and handicaps. Exercise is a key management strategy employed by rehabilitation professionals to address these issues. Exercise has been shown to improve strength, cardiovascular function, and psychological status in seronegative populations (see Eds., Bouchard, C., Shephard, R.J., & Stephens, T. (1993). Physical Activity, Fitness, and Health. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics Publishers.) But what are the effects of exercise for people living with HIV infection? If the risks and benefits of exercise for people living with HIV infection are better understood, appropriate exercise prescription may be practiced by health care providers. Improved exercise prescription may enhance the effectiveness of HIV management, thus improving overall outcomes for people living with HIV infection. To examine the effect of aerobic exercise interventions on cardiopulmonary, immunologic and psychological parameters in adults living with HIV infection. Studies were identified using MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCIENCE CITATION INDEX, AIDSLINE CINAHL, HEALTHSTAR, PSYCHLIT, SOCIOFILE, SCI, SSCI, ERIC, DIA and abstracts from international AIDS meetings, ICAAC, and other major meetings. Reference lists from pertinent articles and books and personal contact with authors were also used, as were Collaborative Review Group databases and results of hand searching of targeted journals. All languages were included. Searches covered the period from 1980 to July 1999. For inclusion, studies had to be randomized control trials involving HIV+ adults 18 years of age or older and had to include at least one group randomized to receive aerobic exercise performed at least three times/week for at least four weeks. Data on study design, participants, interventions, and outcomes were extracted from the reports onto specifically designed data collection forms by at least two reviewers. Six studies satisfied the eligibility criteria. The main results indicated that performing constant or interval aerobic exercise for at least 20 minutes, at least three times per week for four weeks may lead to increased CD4 count, improved cardiopulmonary fitness, and improved psychological status. These findings are limited to those who continued to exercise and for whom there was adequate follow-up data. Aerobic exercise appears to be safe and may be beneficial for adults living with HIV/AIDS. These findings are limited by the small sample sizes and large drop-out rates of the included studies. Further research is required to determine the optimal parameters of aerobic exercise and stage of disease in which aerobic exercise may be most beneficial for adults living with HIV infection.