Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2011 Sep;2(3):177-85.
doi: 10.5812/asjsm.34757.

The effect of ramadan fasting on physical performances, mood state and perceived exertion in young footballers

Hamdi Chtourou  1 , Omar Hammouda, Hichem Souissi, Karim Chamari, Anis Chaouachi, Nizar Souissi
Affiliations

The effect of ramadan fasting on physical performances, mood state and perceived exertion in young footballers

Hamdi Chtourou et al. Asian J Sports Med. 2011 Sep.

Abstract

Purpose: This study was designed to assess the effects of Ramadan fasting on the profile of mood state and perceived exertion in young soccer players and aerobic and anaerobic performances during the Yo-Yo, repeated sprint ability (RSA) and the Wingate tests.

Methods: Twenty junior male soccer players completed the Yo-Yo, the RSA, and the Wingate tests on three different occasions: one-week before Ramadan (BR), the second week (SWR) and the fourth week (ER) of Ramadan. The total distance (TD) covered and the estimated maximal aerobic velocity (MAV) during the Yo-Yo test were recorded. During the RSA test, peak power (PP) during each sprint, the percentage of decrement of PP (PD) and total work (Wtotal) were calculated. During the Wingate test, peak (P(peak)) and mean (P(mean)) powers and fatigue index (FI) were recorded.

Results: TD and MAV (P=0.01) during the Yo-Yo test and PP (P=0.01, P=0.004, P=0.001, P=0.01, P=0.03 for sprints 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively) and Wtotal (P=0.02) during the RSA test were significantly higher during BR than ER. Furthermore, muscle fatigue during the RSA test increased significantly from BR to ER (P=0.01). P(peak) and P(mean) during the Wingate test decreased significantly from BR to SWR and ER (P<0.0005). FI was higher during SWR (P=0.001) and ER (P<0.0005) than BR. In addition, rating of perceived exertion scores and fatigue estimated by the profile of mood state questionnaire were higher during Ramadan in comparison with BR.

Conclusions: The present study suggests that both aerobic and anaerobic performances during the Yo-Yo, the RSA and the Wingate tests were affected by Ramadan fasting in young soccer players.

Keywords: Aerobic Exercise; Anaerobic Exercise; Fatigue; Footballers; Ramadan Fasting.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
PP (mean±SD) recorded during each sprint (sprints 1 (S1), 2 (S2), 3 (S3), 4 (S4) and 5 (S5)) before and during Ramadan. *, **: Significant difference in comparison with BR (P<0.05 and P<0.01 respectively). BR: Before Ramadan; SWR: Second Week of Ramadan; ER: End Ramadan.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Chaouachi A, Leiper JB, Souissi N, et al. Effects of Ramadan Intermittent Fasting on Sports Performance and Training: A Review. Int J Sports Physiol Performance. 2009;4:419–34. - PubMed
    1. Waterhouse J. Effects of Ramadan on physical performance: chronobiological considerations. Br J Sports Med. 2010;44:509–15. - PubMed
    1. Chaouachi A, Coutts AJ, Chamari K, et al. Effect of Ramadan intermittent fasting on aerobic and anaerobic performance and perception of fatigue in male elite judo athletes. J Strength Cond Res. 2009a;23:2702–9. - PubMed
    1. Maughan RJ. Fasting and sport: an introduction. Br J Sports Med. 2010;44:473–475. - PubMed
    1. Mujika I, Chaouachi A, Chamari K. Precompetition taper and nutritional strategies: special reference to training during Ramadan intermittent fast. Br J Sports Med. 2010;44:495–501. - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources