Journal of - International Society for the History of Islamic Medicine

Mohd. USMAN, M. ZAID
is increasing at an alarming rate, especially in the young,
urban population.
According to doctors a sedentary lifestyle combined
with an increase in the consumption of fatty food and alcohol
is to blame cases of obesity, diabetes, hypertension etc.
Unani concept in the causation of NCDs
The principal to be followed for exercise and the general
benefits of exercise are described in great detail in different
Unani Text. Riyazat comes under Ilaj Bit-Tadbeer. Which implies
by alterations or modification in Asbab-e-sitta Zarooriyah
(six basic requisities of life), with the intention of assisting
the defence power Tabiyat-e-Mudabbira-Badan, in eliminating
the disease factor or reverting the disease process.
According to Avicena, there are three fundamentals
of health preservation: Exercise, diet and sleep. Exercise
stands first in these fundaments. It can be defined as a series
of voluntary movements which produce deep respirations.
According to Unani concept, every living organism needs
food to preserve the health. It is the fact that no article of
food even if highly nutritious is completely assimilated by
the body. (4)
The body system tries to eliminate the waste matter and
dietary content but it seldom succeeds in clearing whole
of it. Hence some amount of waste matter is always left
behind, which on gradual accumulation produces, putrefactive
disturbances from its decay, abnormal temperament
from its excessive activity, Plethora from its excessive
quantity, swelling from its accumulation and vitiation of
vital force with its vapour. All of these factors results in the
causation of NCDs. That’s why emphasis should be done to
eliminate the waste either it should be achieved by purgatives
or by exercise. Hence there is a risk to eliminate the
matter with the help of purgative so the exercise is the only
safe guard for its elimination. (7)
In spite of that Riyazat also stimulates the innate heat and
makes the body feels lighten by producing the mild heat. (8)
Prevention of Non Communicable diseases
by Riyazat
Riyazat prevents the accumulation of poisonous wastes
by:
a. Dispersing
b. Assisting the propulsion of waste matter in the channels
of excretion
c. Diverting it towards their out lets
Holistic Approach of Riyazat (Exercise) in the prevention of Non Communicable
Diseases with special reference
to Al-Qanoon Fil Tib A Review
By these three mechanisms, harmful humours can easily
eliminated from the body. Hence accumulation of wastes
does not occur for any considerable length of time. Thus
by increasing innate heat of body, exercises strengthen the
muscles and joints and increase their resistance to damage
and disease. By eliminating wastes, it accelerates the
absorption of food by the tissue, expends and softens the
organs liquefies secretions and dilate the pores. (1)
Thus by adopting these principals NCD can be challenged
and even highly non communicable diseases such
as Diabetes, Arthritis, Hypertension, CAD and Carcinoma
can be readily prevented.
Along with the above mention effect, Riyazat can improve
quality of life, help maintain healthy body weight assist
in coping with the stressors in life, and generate the energy
needed to perform the activities of daily living quickly and
easily. Some researchers contained that the strongest health
benefit of Riyazat for young people is improved psychological
health, not only for them but for the adults in their lives
as well.
Among adults higher levels of physical activity have
been associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease,
diabetes and osteoporosis thus resulting in lower burden of
LSD. The recent surgeon general’s report on physical activity
and health indicated that physical activity need to be
strenuous in order to achieve health benefits and the women
and men of all ages benefits from a moderate amount of
daily physical activity.(6)
The focus in the new millennium is on a well rounded,
comprehensive approach to physical fitness, with cardio
respiratory fitness, muscular fitness, flexibility and body
composition as the major components.
Types of Riyazat mentioned in Unani system of medicine
Types of exercise in Unani Tib have been classified on
the basis of rate, duration and intensity of exercise. The following
types are described
1. Riyazat Qalila (Short duration exercise)
2. Riyazat Kaseera (Long Duration exercise)
3. Riyazat Qawiya (Vigorous exercise)
4. Riyazat Zaefa (Light exercise)
5. Riyazat Sareeaa (Quick exercise);
It is the exercise in which movement are performed
rapidly.
6. Riyazat Bateeaa (Slow Exercise) is the opposite of Sareeaa.
7. Riyazat Hasheesha (Quick and vigorous exercise)
8. Riyazat Tarakhiya (Slow and light exercise)
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ISHIM 2011-2012