Prof. Olufunmilayo Dominic of the Department of Human Kinetics Education, University of Ilorin, has posited that religious activities is beneficial to human fitness and wellness.
Dominic made the submission on Thursday night, during her paper presentation at the 209th Inaugural Lecture of the University of Ilorin, entitled: “Movement Mechanics: Performance Interlock of Trauma, Mortality and Wellness”.
The don, who teaches in the Faulty of Education of the university, observed that religious rituals are sources of movement within diverse modes of worship.
She stated that prayer and worship postures have been observed to be beneficial to fitness and wellness, citing the Muslim prayer (Salat) as a perfect example.
According to her, Salat involves continuous gentle muscle contraction and relaxation with perfect harmony and balance.
“Different types of stretching and isometric contraction exercise involved in religious rituals includes standing, sitting, twisting and flexing the trunk and the limbs as well.
“Public health awareness is crucial to gain maximum physical health benefits associated with prayer postures in almost all religions,” she said.
Dominic asserts that the Christian’s clapping, prayer, praise walk and kneeling are beneficial for aerobic fitness, flexibility thereby alleviating pains and reducing physical inactivity.
She admonished people of different faiths to consciously participate in religious activities for multidimensional benefits.
Similarly, the expert in physical fitness submitted that household chores are an opportunity for adequate multi-complex movements for optimal health.
She listed some of the household chores to include sweeping, vacuuming, washing dishes, feeding pets, preparing meals such as pounding yams with mortar and grinding pepper with a grinding stone, among others.
Dominic postulated that chores around the house does not only burn calories and build muscle, but are also a very good medium for cardiovascular or strength training exercise under good ambience.
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The expert therefore advocated the need to restore movement behaviours at all levels such as home, schools, work place, social systems and the larger community. (NAN)
