"The number of Indonesian pilgrims aged 60 years and over reaches 25.31%. For these elderly pilgrims, if the departure is not well prepared, there will be various risks of health problems," said Prof. Dr. Yudik Prasetyo, M.Kes. AIFO, during his inauguration as a professor on May 6, 2023 at the Performance Hall of the Faculty of Language and Cultural Arts UNY.
Based on data from the Integrated Hajj Computerization System for Health (SISKOHATKES) of the Indonesian Ministry of Health, almost every year around 63-67% of the total Indonesian pilgrims who leave for the holy land are classified as high risk which can endanger the safety and health of pilgrims. "Preparing the physical fitness of prospective pilgrims is at least done at least 6 months before departure, so that it is hoped that the pilgrims can carry out the entire series of hajj independently so that they become a mabrur hajj," said Yudik.
Yudik stated that to maintain fitness in the elderly who will go on Hajj, there are several exercise programs that can be done. This exercise program can be in the form of brisk walking with a distance of 1.6 KM, repetition of exercise sessions 1- 2 times, Intensity 80% of DJM, rest between sessions 2-3 minutes, travel time 18-20 minutes, then rest 5 minutes, then do weight training repetitions 8 times, Set 1-2, Recovery between sets 2 minutes from the number of posts 8-10. This exercise is proven to show a significant increase in physical fitness, which includes lung and heart endurance, flexibility, muscle fitness and improvement in body composition of elderly pilgrims.
