Hand-Grip Strength and Respiratory Muscle Endurance in Regular Versus Irregular Salah Performers: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study in Adult Males

Abstract

Background: Habitual physical inactivity is a principal driver of both reduced peripheral muscle strength and declining respiratory muscle endurance in working-age adults, contributing to premature functional decline and increased musculoskeletal morbidity. Daily Islamic prayer (Salah) involves repeated cycles of closed kinetic-chain upper limb loading during prostration (Sujood), sustained isometric trunk and thoracic activation throughout postural transitions, and controlled diaphragmatic breathing patterns inherent to its ritual structure. Whether these cumulative mechanical exposures translate into objectively measurable differences in hand-grip strength and respiratory muscle endurance between adult males who differ systematically in their Salah observance has not previously been investigated using validated clinical instruments.

Objectives: To compare bilateral hand-grip strength and respiratory muscle endurance between adult males categorised as regular or irregular Salah performers, using standardised clinical measurement tools.

Methods: Forty adult males (aged 20-45 years) were enrolled in a comparative cross-sectional study and allocated to Group A (regular performers, n=20; ≥5 daily prayers for ≥1 year) or Group B (irregular performers, n=20; <3 prayers daily). Bilateral hand-grip strength was measured using a calibrated Jamar hydraulic dynamometer. Respiratory muscle endurance was assessed by the Maximum Voluntary Breath-Hold Duration (MVBHD) and the 30-Second Sit-Up Test (30-SUT) as a validated proxy for inspiratory accessory muscle endurance. Between-group differences were evaluated by independent-samples t-tests (α=0.05) with effect magnitude expressed as Cohen’s d.

Results: Regular Salah performers demonstrated significantly greater dominant hand-grip strength (42.6±4.3 kg vs. 34.1±5.1 kg; p<0.001; d=1.84), non-dominant hand-grip strength (39.8±4.1 kg vs. 31.7±4.9 kg; p<0.001; d=1.79), MVBHD (58.4±7.2 s vs. 43.1±6.8 s; p<0.001; d=2.17), and 30-SUT scores (24.3±3.1 vs. 18.6±3.8 repetitions; p<0.001; d=1.68) compared with Group B. All effect sizes were large to very large.

Conclusion: Regular Salah practice is independently associated with superior bilateral hand-grip strength and respiratory muscle endurance in adult males. The magnitude of observed group differences is large and clinically meaningful, supporting the integration of Salah-awareness into physiotherapy fitness assessment frameworks and preventive health promotion programmes targeting Muslim populations.

Keywords: Salah; Islamic Prayer; Hand-Grip Strength; Respiratory Muscle Endurance; Jamar Dynamometer; 30-Second Breath-Hold Test; Sit-Up Test; Musculoskeletal Fitness; Neuromuscular Adaptation; Physical Health

Citation

Raffiq Ali S, Muthukrishnan P. Hand Grip Strength and Respiratory Muscle Endurance in Regular Versus Irregular Salah Performers: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study in Adult Males. WebLog J Musculoskelet Disord. wjmd.2026.h1008. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22069279