Effectiveness of pre-hajj physical prehabilitation in improving functional capacity and health outcomes among pilgrims: A systematic review

Indrawan, Doby ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4074-1942 (2026) Effectiveness of pre-hajj physical prehabilitation in improving functional capacity and health outcomes among pilgrims: A systematic review. International Journal of Natural and Health Sciences, 4 (4). pp. 507-530. ISSN 3025-9665

Preview

Text 29373.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (331kB) | Preview

Abstract

This systematic review evaluated the effectiveness of pre-Hajj physical prehabilitation in improving functional capacity and health outcomes among adult pilgrims. The review followed PRISMA 2020 and included studies published between 2020 and 2026 identified through Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase, and supplementary searches. Eligible interventions included structured aerobic, walking, resistance, strengthening, flexibility, balance, circuit, endurance, and multimodal exercise programmes. Functional outcomes included the six-minute walk test, cardiorespiratory fitness, gait speed, strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, and mobility, while clinical outcomes included musculoskeletal complaints, fatigue, heat-related illness, healthcare utilization, hospitalization, and Hajj-related morbidity. The findings indicate that pre-Hajj physical prehabilitation provides more consistent benefits for proximal functional outcomes than for downstream clinical outcomes. Aerobic walking, lower-extremity strengthening, isotonic exercise, and multimodal conditioning improved cardiorespiratory fitness, flexibility, walking capacity, and selected lower-extremity functions. However, these improvements did not consistently reduce morbidity, post-Hajj illness, or healthcare utilization. Functional capacity therefore appears useful as a marker of physical readiness and clinical vulnerability, but not as a direct surrogate for broader health protection. The novelty of this review lies in distinguishing functional efficacy from clinical effectiveness and reframing pre-Hajj exercise as a risk-stratified prehabilitation strategy.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Keywords:	hajj; prehabilitation; physical exercise; functional capacity; cardiorespiratory fitness; health outcomes; pilgrims
Subjects:	11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111708 Health and Community Services 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111716 Preventive Medicine 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111717 Primary Health Care 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111799 Public Health and Health Services not elsewhere classified 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1106 Human Movement and Sports Science 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services
Divisions:	Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences > Department of Medical Education
Depositing User:	Doby Indrawan
Date Deposited:	28 Oct 2026 08:54

Downloads

Origin of downloads

Actions (login required)

View Item