Avicenna the First to Describe Diseases Which May Be Prevented By Exercise

Abstract

In the modern medical era it has been known as well that physical activity and exercise are important factors to prevent from different chronic diseases. Scientifically, there are numerous evidence based studies about protective role of exercise against chronic diseases such as cardio- respiratory diseases, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia etc, which have been completely explained. Historically, ancient physicians such as Avicenna had described this topic several hundred years ago. However, ancient principles of medicine are too different in comparison with modern medicine and description of diseases which Avicenna has talked about them and their managements are too much different, yet reviewing the protective role of sports and physical activity in his masterpiece, "The Canon of Medicine", reveals that Avicenna has made a significant contribution to the evolution of following knowledge. The present review discusses Avicenna's opinion about protective role of exercise against some diseases through a comparison with modern medical views and also emphasizes aspects that need further investigation for these opinions to be useful in clinic in the future.