The Effects of Performing Prayer on the Physical Fitness Levels of Men Over 60 Years Old

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine and compare the physical fitness levels of elderly people who pray regularly with those who lead a sedentary lifestyle, as well as to emphasize the importance of performing regular prayer for the physical fitness levels of elderly people.

The research sample consisted of 849 men who were able to conduct their daily activities independently, with no serious health problems, and who were viewed as healthy according to their age category. They were divided on the basis of age into 5 age groups. The Senior Fitness Test (SFT) was applied to determine the physical fitness levels of elderly men (Rikli, Jones, 2001). In addition, a questionnaire was administered to learn whether the subjects performed regular prayer or not.

The differences between the prayer group and sedentary group were analyzed using the Independent Samples Test. It was found that the physical fitness levels of the elderly men who performed prayer were higher than those of the sedentary group; all of the parameters of physical fitness measured through the SFT protocol were higher in the case of the elderly men who performed prayer.