Avicenna’s approach to screening and assessment before Physical activity
Tārīkh-i pizishkī i.e., Medical History,
Vol. 17 (1404),
6 May 2025
,
Page 1-9
https://doi.org/10.22037/mhj.v17i.46174
Abstract
Background and Aim: Since one of the primary goals of physical activity is to maintain and improve health and enhance the quality of life, achieving this goal requires determining a suitable and safe physical activity for each individual. The American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association have established criteria for screening and assessing individuals' health status and physical fitness levels before prescribing physical activity. Given the valuable status of exercise in maintaining and promoting health in Iranian medicine, this study is the first to investigate Avicenna's approach on assessment and screening before physical activity.
Methods: This research was conducted by reviewing Avicenna's book "The Canon of Medicine" and performing an electronic search using relevant keywords.
Ethical Considerations: In compiling this study, the principles of trustworthiness, citation integrity, authenticity of sources and avoidance of bias in referring to texts or analyses were observed.
Results: Avicenna considers the examination of four factors essential before recommending physical activity:
- Medical History Review: In chronic diseases, pressure should not be applied to the weak organ.
- Assessment of Physical Weakness and Strength: Strenuous exercises should not be prescribed for individuals with a weak constitution.
- Determination of Temperament: Individuals with a warm and dry temperament may be harmed by performing certain exercises.
- Examination of Signs of Bodily Fullness (Plethora): In individuals whose bodies are filled with waste materials due to an improper lifestyle, exercising before cleansing the body of these materials can be harmful.
Conclusion: According to Avicenna's approach, prescribing physical activity should be done after careful assessment. Specific groups such as children, the elderly and patients require special considerations, which aligns with modern research. The two topics of temperament and bodily fullness can provide insightful research ideas for pre-activity screening and assessment, especially since, based on the principles of Iranian medicine, intense physical activity in a state of fullness may lead to sudden cardiac death.
- Screening
- Avicenna
- Physical Activity
- The Canon of Medicine
How to Cite
References
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