Effects of Ramadan on physical capacities of North African boys fasting for the first time

Abstract

Introduction

Most of the literature related to the effects of Ramadan fasting on physical performance has focused on adults, and only three studies have examined its impact on children's physical performance.

Aims

To examine the effects of Ramadan fasting on first-time fasting boys’ performance in short-term explosive exercises [vertical and horizontal jump tests (VJT and HJT), 20-m and 30-m sprints and medicine-ball throw (MBT)], as well as in sub-maximal endurance [6-min walking distance (6MWD) measured during the 6-min walk test (6MWT)].

Methods

Eighteen Tunisian boys [mean±standard deviation (SD) of age and body mass (BM): 11.9±0.8 y and 55.4±18.2 kg, respectively] were included. The experimental design comprised four testing phases: 2-weeks before Ramadan (BR), the end of the second week (R2) and the fourth week (R4) of Ramadan, and 10–12 days after the end of Ramadan (AR). At each phase, boys performed two test sessions in the afternoon (15:00–17:00 h) interrupted by 48 h of recovery (first test session: BM, VJT, HJT, and 20-m and 30-m sprint tests; second session: MBT and 6MWT). The study was conducted during the summer of 2012 from July 5 to August 29.

Results

6MWDs (m) were significantly shorter during R2 (652±101) and R4 (595±123) compared to BR (697±86) and came back to baseline values AR. BM (kg) mean±SD did not significantly change during R2 (52±15) and during R4 (53±15) compared to BR (55±17), and short-term explosive performances were unchanged throughout the study.

Conclusion

In non-athletic children, first-ever Ramadan fasting impairs sub-maximal aerobic capacity but has no effect on BM or short-term explosive performance.

• Tunisia
• Ramadan fasting
• anaerobic exercise
• walking distance
• child

To access the supplementary material for this article please see Supplementary files under Article Tools online

To access the supplementary material for this article please see Supplementary files under Article Tools online

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Professor Bechir SAADAOUI for his invaluable contribution to the improvement of the quality of the writing of the present paper. They also wish to express their sincere gratitude to all participants and their parents for their maximal effort and cooperation.

Conflict of interest and funding

The authors declare they have no conflicts of interest concerning this article.

Notes

To access the supplementary material for this article please see Supplementary files under Article Tools online