Salat (Muslim prayer) as a therapeutic exercise

Abstract

'Salat' is a Muslim prayer mandatory for all Muslims five times a day. It is comparable to performing a mildintensity exercise, because most of the joints and musclesundergo exercise during different positions and movements adopted in Salat. Though Salat is practised by all Muslims, evidence is very limited regarding the biomechanics and therapeutic effects of Salat as an exercise. However, literature shows activation of biceps brachii, triceps brachii, pectoralis major, scapular musculature, rectus femoris, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius during different postures of Salat. Moreover, Salat is also found to improve balance in healthy individuals as well as stroke patients, decreases the chances of development of knee osteoarthritis, and provide cardiovascular and compositional benefits. The current literature review was planned to look into the current evidence and discuss what is known regarding the effects of Salat and how it can be used as an exercise.

Keywords: Salat, Salah, Namaz, Exercise, Muslim prayer, Biomechanics..