The influence of Ramadan on physical performance measures in young Muslim footballers

Abstract

Ramadan alters the normal patterns of food intake and sleep. The aim of this study was to describe the impact of Ramadan on physical performance in youth Muslim athletes. The members of four Tunisian teams (age 18 years, N = 85) resided at the Tunisian Football Federation training ground. Each player chose either to fast or not fast during the 4-week period of Ramadan. Two teams were randomly chosen for morning testing; the remaining teams were tested in the afternoon. Testing took place 3 weeks before and in the second and fourth weeks of Ramadan. A subgroup of 45 players was tested again 3 weeks after Ramadan. Each player was assessed for speed, power, agility, endurance, and for passing and dribbling skills. No variables were negatively affected by fasting. Almost all variables had improved significantly by the third test session (training effect). A limited number of variables were also significant for time of day or in an interaction with week of testing. Changes in performance were most likely due to the effects of training and familiarity with the test methods. Based on these data, Ramadan had little effect on objective tests of physical performance in this sample of youth players observing Ramadan.

Effect of Ramadan fasting on some biochemical and haematological parameters in Tunisian youth soccer players undertaking their usual training and competition schedule

“…Although elevated concentrations are normally associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome (Feve, Bastard, & Vidal, 2006), the circulating Creactive protein concentration is generally inversely related to aerobic fitness (Aronson et al, 2004) and falls in response to a prolonged period of endurance training (Mattusch, Dufaux, Heine, Mertens, & Rost, 2000). The participants in the present study were generally rather homogeneous in their physical characteristics, with relatively high aerobic fitness (Kirkendall, Leiper, Zerguini, Bartagi, & Dvorak, 2008). The normal response to an acute bout of strenuous exercise is an increase in the circulating concentration of C-reactive protein (Semple et al, 2006), but values in the present study remained relatively stable and within the normal laboratory reference range throughout the study, perhaps reflecting the training status of these players (Kasapis & Thompson, 2005).…”

Activity Patterns, Body Composition and Muscle Function during Ramadan in a Middle-East Muslim Country

“…Meckel et al [ 21 ] observed that while repeated sprint performance was reduced, maximal single sprints eff orts were maintained during Ramadan. Similarly, intermediate (10 m) sprint time was unaff ected 2 weeks into Ramadan, while overall repeated 30 m sprint times were shown to decrease [ 16 ] . Acceleration has also been noted to improve, but maximal running speed to decline during Ramadan [ 36 ] .…”

The F-MARC study on Ramadan and football: Research design, population, and environmental conditions

“…Because the initial anthropometric measurements and blood sampling had to be staggered, the exercise testing of players was also staggered. At least 30 min after finishing the final station (Station 5), the players undertook the 20-m multiple shuttle running test (Brewer, Ramsbottom, & Williams, 1988;Leger & Lambert, 1982) (for details, see Kirkendall, Leiper, Zerguini, Bartagi, & Dvorak, 2008).…”