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Effects of Ramadan Fasting on Physical Performance: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis

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Abstract

Background

It is common that several athletes will fast while training or competing during Ramadan. There is currently no consensus on if or how this might affect physical performance.

Objective

The aim was to conduct a systematic review combined with a meta-analysis to determine what are the effects of fasting during the month of Ramadan on physical performance.

Methods

Three electronic databases were searched: PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science between from the earliest available date to May 2019. Two authors identified studies that evaluated the effects of Ramadan fasting on physical performance. Risk of bias was assessed using the Downs and Black methodological quality checklist. Pooled effects were reported as standardized mean differences (MDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a random effects model.

Results

A total of 11 studies met the inclusion criteria. Results revealed that Ramadan fasting had a deleterious effect on mean power and peak power during a Wingate and/or a repeated sprint test. In the morning, sprint performance was negatively affected by Ramadan fasting. Aerobic performance, strength, jump height, fatigue index, and total work were not affected by the intermittent fasting during the month of Ramadan.

Conclusions

The majority of physical performance parameters were not influenced by Ramadan fasting when tested either in the morning or in the afternoon. Athletes appear able to participate in competition in a fasted state with little impact on physical performance. Sleep and nutrition opportunities should be optimized to minimize likelihood of accumulating fatigue.

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Data Availability Statement

Data analyzed during this study are included in this published article (and Electronic Supplementary Material Appendix S1).

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Dr Alan McCall for some comments on an earlier version of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. UR15JS01: Education, Motricité, Sport et Santé (EM2S), High Institute of Sport and Physical Education, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia

    Abd-Elbasset Abaïdia, Wael Daab & Mohamed Amine Bouzid

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  1. Abd-Elbasset Abaïdia
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Correspondence to Abd-Elbasset Abaïdia.

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Abd-Elbasset Abaïdia, Wael Daab, and Mohamed Amine Bouzid declare that they have no conflicts of interest with the content of this article.

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Abaïdia, AE., Daab, W. & Bouzid, M.A. Effects of Ramadan Fasting on Physical Performance: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis. Sports Med 50, 1009–1026 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-020-01257-0

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