Role of Riyazat in prevention and control of lifestyle diseases: A review

Abstract

Background: Riyazat (exercise) is a planned, structured and repetitive bodily movement that is done to improve or maintain physical fitness and overall health. It plays an important role not only in maintaining good health but also in preventing and curing certain ailments as well. Lifestyle diseases are ailments that are primarily based on the day to day habits of people. Lack of exercise and habits that detract people from the activity and push them towards a sedentary routine, these are the major causes which serve as an important factor in the rising prevalence of lifestyle diseases. Some of the emerging lifestyle diseases are obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, joint diseases and psychological disorders. Mortality and morbidity rates have also increased with increasing levels of these diseases. Frequent and consistent exercise helps in the prevention of these diseases. It helps in maintaining or losing weight, improves metabolic function and mental health by reducing stress. Many ancient Unani physicians like Hippocrates, Galen, Razi and Avicenna have discussed the beneficial effects of riyazat in their treatise. Conclusion: It is used as a regimental therapy that acts by inhibiting agglomeration of morbid material in the body and helps in revocation of waste products through natural routes, thus reducing risks for the development of various diseases. So there is an indispensable need to procure exercise regularly to forestall lifestyle diseases for the betterment of life.
 Keywords: Riyazat, metabolic, ancient, regimental, morbid