Effect of Exercise on Malaria and some Biochemical Parameters

Ibrahim Ali Bukar1 and Muhammad Ibrahim Usman2

1Department of Human Physiology, College of Medical Sciences, Yobe State University, Damaturu. P.M.B 1144 Yobe Nigeria
2Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Yobe State University, Damaturu. P.M.B 1144 Yobe Nigeria

*Corresponding author’s Email: ibrahimali@yahoo.com, doi.org/10.55639/607.515049


ABSTRACT

Resistance to antimalarial drugs is increasing day by day, suggesting the importance of discovering new techniques to mitigate the effects of malaria. The current study assesses the effect of exercise on parasitemia and liver function in asymptomatic malaria-infected subjects at Yobe State University, Damaturu. Forty (40) adult patients presenting to the University clinic with uncomplicated malaria comprising 23 males and 17 females were used in this study. The subjects were grouped into four with 10 subjects in each group. Group I served as control; they were malaria-infected but not subjected to exercise. Group II, Group III and Group IV were malaria-infected; and placed on regular exercise of 20, 40 and 60 minutes respectively daily for 9 days. Blood samples were collected on day 3, 6, and 9 respectively for percentage parasitemia determination while liver function indices were analyzed at the end of the study (i.e. at day 9). The total number of red blood cells and average number of infected red blood cellwere counted and the percentage of parasitemia were calculated using the data. Significant (p<0.0.5) reduction was observed in parasitemia level as a result of the exposure of infected subjects to exercise in a dose-dependent pattern compared to control groups. Liver function analysis revealed a slight decrease in the activity of enzymes (AST, ALT and ALP) direct and total bilirubin in patients subjected to exercise in dose dependent pattern compared to control group. However, no significant difference was seen in Albumin and total proteins between non-exercise and exercise groups. Within the scope and limit of this research, it can be concluded that exercise plays a significant role in ameliorating malarial complications, and encouraging exercise in malaria-endemic regions as a primary means to minimize symptoms and complications should be adopted.

Keywords:

Exercise,
Liver,
Malaria,
Nigeria