Abstract
Introduction Globally, cardiovascular disease (CVD) has become a heavy burden to healthcare systems. Limited knowledge among individuals and understanding of CVD has increased this burden and the prevalence of chronic and cardiovascular pathologies. Therefore, there is a need to constantly update the data to inform treatment interventions for sedentary populations in various parts of the world. Sedentary populations have become varied, and not all individuals belong to the same category or have the same lifestyle habits and culture. For example, in the Islamic faith, compulsory prayer, ‘Salaah’ is offered five times daily by members. Many international studies have found that the Salaah is a type of low-to-moderate intensity aerobic exercise that includes functional benefits and has also shown to enhance relaxation and reduce acute stress. Aims The primary aim of this research study was to investigate the current knowledge and understanding of CVD risk and prevention of asymptomatic sedentary males who perform the Salaah. The secondary aim was to investigate and determine theses participants’ current morphological, cardiovascular and neuromuscular profiles using selected clinical measurement tools. Methods This cross-sectional study was divided into two data collection phases. The first phase included an electronically distributed anonymous CVD risk questionnaire to gather data on the knowledge and awareness of CVD risk and prevention among a conveniently sampled, sedentary male population (n = 243) who perform the Salaah daily. The questionnaire variables included Knowledge of CVD, perceived risk and vulnerability, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, self-efficacy and intention to change behaviour or cues to action. The second phase of the data collection involved a subgroup intervention study of selected morphological, cardiovascular and neuromuscular variables on a sample of the study participants (n = 20). Resting heart rate (RHR), resting systolic blood pressure (SBP), resting diastolic blood pressure (DBP), body mass index (BMI) and percentage body fat (BF%) were measured before a Salaah simulation activity. Post Salaah SBP and post Salaah DBP measurements were conducted thereafter. Electromyography (EMG) measurements were performed on the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) for a single maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) along with two movement transitions of the Salaah, which included the Qiyaam to Sujood average (QS) and the Tahiyaat to Qiyaam average (TQ). Bilateral manual muscle strength testing (MMT) using a myometer was conducted upon the quadriceps femoris group and the gastrocnemius muscles. Using a statistical software package, inferential and descriptive statistical analyses were conducted. A one-way ANOVA (analysis of variance) and Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to investigate statistically significant relationships between the variables for the questionnaire study component. The intervention study...
M.Phil. (Biokinetics)