Effects of Ramadan Observance on Dietary Intake and Body Composition of Adolescent Athletes: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

To evaluate the effects of Ramadan observance on dietary intake, body mass and body composition of adolescent athletes (design: systematic review and meta-analysis; data sources: PubMed and Web of Science; eligibility criteria for selecting studies: single-group, pre-post, with or without control-group studies, conducted in athletes aged <19 years, training at least 3 times/week, and published in any language before 12 February 2020). Studies assessing body mass and/or body composition and/or dietary intake were deemed eligible. The methodological quality was assessed using ‘QualSyst’. Of the twelve selected articles evaluating body mass and/or body composition, one was of strong quality and eleven were rated as moderate. Ten articles evaluated dietary intake; four were rated as strong and the remaining moderate in quality. Continuation of training during Ramadan did not change body mass from before to the first week (trivial effect size (ES) = −0.011, p = 0.899) or from before to the fourth week of Ramadan (trivial ES = 0.069, p = 0.277). Additionally, Ramadan observance did not change body fat content from before to the first week (trivial ES = −0.005, p = 0.947) and from before to the fourth week of Ramadan (trivial ES = -0.057, p = 0.947). Lean body mass remained unchanged from before to the fourth week of Ramadan (trivial ES = −0.025, p = 0.876). Dietary data showed the intake of energy (small ES = -0.272, p = 0.182), fat (trivial ES = 0.044, p = 0.842), protein (trivial ES = 0.069, p = 0.720), carbohydrate (trivial ES = 0.075, p = 0.606) and water (trivial ES = −0.115, p = 0.624) remained essentially unchanged during as compared to before Ramadan. Continued training of adolescent athletes at least three times/week during Ramadan observance has no effect on body mass, body composition or dietary intake.

Uncovering the Role of Different Instructional Designs When Learning Tactical Scenes of Play through Dynamic Visualizations: A Systematic Review

“…A percentage of quality was calculated for each article: [(total score across relevant items ÷ total possible score) × 100]. According to Trabelsi et al [ 50 ], a percentage of ≥75% was considered as indicative of strong quality, a percentage of 55–75% as moderate quality, and a percentage of ≤55% as weak quality, when using the QualSyst assessment tool. Note that items judged “not applicable” were excluded from the calculation of the total score, and thus the maximum total possible score is 24 instead of 28.…”

Ramadan intermittent fasting and its association with health-related indices and exercise test performance in athletes and physically active individuals: an overview of systematic reviews

“…Online supplemental table S4 presents the characteristics of 14 included SRs with or without meta-analyses, published between 2018 and 2023 1–3 28–38. Among these, 7 SRs incorporated meta-analyses,1 3 32–36 with the number of original studies per SR ranging from 9 to 22, published between 2006 and 2021. The primary studies within these SRs were observational, with sample sizes ranging from 93 to 1018 participants.…”

“…The number of databases searched ranged from 2 to 9, with PubMed being the most searched. Nine SRs2 3 29 31–35 38 examined athletes, one37 involved physically active individuals and the remaining four1 28 30 36 included both athletes and physically active individuals. Four SRs investigated the association between RO and sleep patterns 1 30 32 36.…”

Longer Nap Duration During Ramadan Observance Positively Impacts 5-m Shuttle Run Test Performance Performed in the Afternoon

“…Healthy Muslims yearly refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, amongst others, from dawn to sunset for 29–30 days during Ramadan observance ( Trabelsi et al, 2020a , b ). Every day before dawn, Muslim consume a pre-fast meal called “ Sahour or Suhoor ” and then fast until sunset.…”

“…The time lapse between sunset and dawn, and the resulting effects can drastically change according to the location’ latitude and time of the year ( Chamari et al, 2019 ). The obligation to eat only overnight span can lead to several changes in sleep scheduling ( Trabelsi et al, 2020a , 2021 ) and quality and meal timing and composition ( Trabelsi et al, 2020b , 2022 ) and previous studies have shown disturbances during the month of Ramadan in the quantity ( Leiper et al, 2008 ; Aziz et al, 2010 ; Herrera, 2012 ) and quality ( Zerguini et al, 2007 ; Chamari et al, 2016 ) of sleep, dietary intake ( Trabelsi et al, 2012a , b ; Abedelmalek et al, 2015 ), as well as water consumption ( Trabelsi et al, 2012a , b ; Aloui et al, 2019 ).…”