The Effect of Ramadan Fasting and Physical Activity on Body Composition, Serum Osmolarity Levels and Some Parameters of Electrolytes in Females

Abstract

BackgroundSo far, there have been a few and incoherent results about the effects of physical activities. Fasting in Ramadan has an effect on the level of osmolarity and the concentration of serum electrolytes both in active and inactive females.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to observe the changes of serum electrolytes and osmolarity levels according to regular exercise during fasting.Patients and MethodsTwenty two healthy females who were elected by convenience sampling method were divided into two groups: 1) fasting + exercise (FE; n = 11) and 2) fasting + non exercise (FNE; n = 15). The FE group participated in aerobic training for four sessions per week during the fasting. All measurements were done once before the first day, on the second week, on the fourth week and two weeks after fasting month and these measures were used to analyze test results.ResultsThe mean differences were as follows: significant weight loss, BMI, WHR, in two groups at the end of Ramadan (P < 0.05). The mean of weight, BMI, WHR, body fat, protein, mineral and total water showed no difference between groups (P > 0.05). Potassium, creatinine, urea and uric acid had been decreased significantly in both groups (P < 0.05). Variance between groups was significant only in variable urea (P < 0.05). Variations within group had been changed in FBS; sodium, phosphorus and osmolarity levels were not changed significantly.ConclusionsAccording to this result, regular exercise in case of fasting in Ramadan led to some changes in serum osmolarity index, electrolytes and water. Therefore, it is important for female athletes to consider applying a suitable nutritious diet and sufficient water consumption during Ramadan

Ramadan Fasting Decreases Body Fat but Not Protein Mass

“…A comparison of our results with those of other studies is presented in Table 3 . Our study showed Ramadan fasting decreased body weight, consistent with the findings of other studies ( 5 , 6 , 8 , 10 , 19 , 20 ). A notable result is that weight loss was not associated with the decrease in calorie intake.…”

“…While weight loss during Ramadan fasting was consistently found across subjects, the body composition results varied. The insignificance of protein mass loss in our study was consistent with the findings of Hosseini et al ( 19 ) and Sadiya et al, ( 5 ) but the results for fat, mineral and total body water changes varied. In our study, these three body components significantly decreased during Ramadan fasting, with the fat component contributing the greatest proportion of weight loss.…”

“…In our study, these three body components significantly decreased during Ramadan fasting, with the fat component contributing the greatest proportion of weight loss. Hosseini et al ( 19 ) and Sadiya et al ( 5 ) reported a significant decrease only in body fat. These findings suggest that in Ramadan fasting, the body metabolism is switched to lipolysis but not gluconeogenesis.…”

Impact of Ramadan Fasting on Biochemical and Exercise Parameters among Patients Undergoing Exercise-based Cardiac Rehabilitation

“…The opposite happens when plasma osmolality decreases [ 5 , 25 ]. Our findings do commensurate with those concluded with Dikme et al who showed no effect of Ramadan fasting on serum osmolality in emergency patients [ 26 ] and Attarzadeh et al who also demonstrated no effect of Ramadan fasting and physical activity in females on serum osmolality [ 27 ]. Besides, in a study by Ziaee et al, despite occurrence of increased osmolality during Ramadan fasting, the measurements remained within normal range [ 25 ].…”

Are patients well informed about the fasting requirements for laboratory blood testing?

“…It influences alteration of various metabolic, endocrine, oxidation and others mechanisms and the concentration of parameters is completely changed (7–9). …”