[Variation of cognitive functions and glycemia during physical exercise in Ramadan fasting]

The Effect of Ramadan Fasting on the Coping Strategies Used by Male Footballers Affiliated with the Tunisian First Professional League

This study aimed to discover coping strategies among professional male Tunisian footballers during the Ramadan 2021 fast. One hundred and eighty footballers who belong to twelve Tunisian professional clubs (age: 25.54 ± 4.41 years, weight: 77.19 ± 5.99 kg; height: 180.54 ± 7.28 cm; BMI: 23.67 ± 0.58) were tested during three sessions: one week before Ramadan, during the last week of Ramadan, and one week after Ramadan 2021. The footballers completed the Arabic version of the Inventory of Coping Strategies for Competitive Sport (ICSCS) scale in each session. Responses were recorded retrospectively one hour after a competition. The analysis of variance revealed a significant effect of Ramadan fasting on the adaptation profile of footballers (F = 3.51; p-value = 0.0001). Before and after Ramadan fasting, active coping dominates the adaptation profile of Tunisian professional footballers. During Ramadan, footballers use an irregular and unbalanced coping profile. The lifestyle change induced by the Ramadan fast significantly and negatively affected the adaptation profile of Tunisian professional footballers. Under the effect of the month of Ramadan, footballers developed a different coping profile from that of normal months.

Ramadan Fasting and NCDs-Example of the Diabetes

Although Ramadan lasts only for 1 month each year, it can be accompanied by significant changes in: both energy and nutritional intake; in the diet composition; in the working hours; and the usual way of life. The majority of practitioners consume two meals, one after sunset (Iftar) and one before dawn (Sohor). During this month, it is also an opportunity to share a meal with family and friends, a period of highly intensified socialization. In parallel with the nutritional changes brought about by this unique pattern of fasting in Ramadan, other metabolic and physiological changes may occur, such as fluctuations in body weight and/or disturbance in the quantity and quality of the sleep-wake circadian rhythm. In the verses of the Qur'an, the exemption from fasting in certain situations such as illness is clearly stated. Despite this religious tolerance, many faithful who are eligible for the exemption observe the fast of Ramadan either for the spiritual aspect it provides by performing it, by religious guilt or to mark a normalization in the Muslim community for fear of the gaze of others. The world is experiencing an increase in the emergence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs); leading cause of the global mortality. Environmental and behavioral risk factors related to lifestyle, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, and sedentarity have a causal association with NCDs. Other factors, such as genetic and physiological factors may also be associated (overweight, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia). Diabetes is one of the highest prevalent NCDs in the world and it continues increasing year by year. This chronic disease can lead to significant potential complications (degenerative, dermatological, and acute) to the patient's health. This requires an individual and appropriate care, both dietetic and therapeutic and over the long term will at best make it possible to sensitize the diabetic patient to the adverse effects related to his disease and thus improve its quality of life. Performing the Fast of Ramadan for a diabetic is a common situation. Diabetes is the only chronic disease widely studied in relation to Ramadan fasting. In the literature, many studies have investigated the effects of Ramadan intermittent fasting on diabetic patients. This article aims to provide a general overview and highlight if there are many effect of Ramadan fasting on diabetes, as an example of a NCDs.

Knowledge, beliefs and attitudes of Muslim footballers towards Ramadan fasting during the London 2012 Olympics: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

Muslims observe fasting during the month of Ramadan by abstaining from eating and drinking from dawn to sunset. Available literature shows that although several studies have been conducted on athletes to determine the effects of Ramadan fasting in terms of physical fitness and performance, little data are available regarding the knowledge, beliefs and attitudes of athletes (particularly footballers) towards Ramadan fasting during high-level competitions. This study explored the knowledge, beliefs and attitudes towards Ramadan fasting among football players participating in the London 2012 Olympics football tournament.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTINGS

Team training facility.

PARTICIPANTS

54 Muslim footballers participating in the London Olympics, 2012 OUTCOME MEASURES: Each participant was asked to complete a pre-validated structured questionnaire to assess knowledge, beliefs and attitudes regarding Ramadan fasting and their intention to fast during London 2012.

RESULTS

Of the 54 participating athletes, 21(39%) reported that they intended to fast during Ramadan, but not on a match day. This attitude differed across three teams interviewed -83%, 15% and 0%-showing cross-cultural variation. Overall, there was a lack of knowledge among footballers regarding the effects of Ramadan fasting on sleep and performance; around 30% of athletes gave incorrect responses. This knowledge was independent of their decision to fast on non-competition days (p>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study to describe the knowledge, beliefs and attitudes towards Ramadan fasting among athletes from Muslim-majority countries participating in a high-level competition. Appropriate knowledge can ensure optimum performance for athletes during Ramadan fasting. Coaches, family members and friends also in possession of this knowledge can provide moral support to the players.

Does Ramadan Fasting Adversely Affect Cognitive Function in Young Females?

We examined the effects of Ramadan fasting on cognitive function in 17 female athletes. Data were obtained from participants of two fasting (n = 9) and nonfasting (n = 8) groups at three periods of the study (before Ramadan, at the third week in Ramadan, and after Ramadan). Digit span test (DST) and Stroop color test were employed to assess short-term memory and inhibition/cognitive flexibility at each time point. There were no significant changes for DST and Stroop task 1 in both groups, whereas Stroop task 2 and task 3 showed significant improvements in Ramadan condition (p < 0.05). Interference indices did not change significantly across the study except in post-Ramadan period of fasting group (p < 0.05). Group × week interaction was significant only for error numbers (p < 0.05). Athletes in nonfasting showed a significant decrease in number of errors in Ramadan compared to baseline (p < 0.05). The results suggest that Ramadan fasting may not adversely affect cognitive function in female athletes.

Subjective Perception of Sports Performance, Training, Sleep and Dietary Patterns of Malaysian Junior Muslim Athletes during Ramadan Intermittent Fasting

Purpose

To examine the subjective perception of daily acute fasting on sports performance, training, sleep and dietary patterns of Muslim athletes during the Ramadan month.

Methods

Seven hundred and thirty-four (411 male and 323 female) Malaysian Junior-level Muslim athletes (mean age 16.3 ± 2.6 y) participated in the survey which was designed to establish the personal perception of their sport performance, sleep pattern, food and fluid intake during Ramadan fasting. The survey was conducted during and immediately after the month of Ramadan in 2009.

Results

Twenty-four percent of the athletes perceived that there was an adverse effect of the Ramadan fast on their sporting performance and 29.3% reported that quality of training during Ramadan was also negatively influenced. Majority (48.2%) of the athletes stated that Ramadan fasting did not affect their normal sleep pattern but 66.6% of them complained of sleepiness during the daytime. Half of the athletes (41.4%) maintained the caloric intake during Ramadan as they normally would with the majority of them (76.2%) reporting that they consumed more fluids during Ramadan.

Conclusions

Overall, Malaysian Junior-level Muslim athletes showed diverse views in their perception of changes in their training, sleep and dietary patterns during Ramadan fast. These individual differences probably indicate differences in the athletes’ adaptability and coping strategies during fasting and training in Ramadan.