Day 10: Researching the effects of Ramadan fasting on physical performance (Part 2)
In the discussion specific to Liverpool FC's Mohamed Salah, we considered examples of elite athletes breaking fast for a few days around performances to ensure they are able to perform at the right level, and not harmed in the process. Research specific to athletes performing at the highest level seems scarce at best, so within this post we will look at research to athletes who aren't yet operating at an elite level, who have been actively chosen to participate in scientific research.
In the conclusions of a systematic review by Abaïdia et al (2020) of eleven studies completed by other researchers, it was stated that "the majority of physical parameters were not affected" by fasting during Ramadan. However, it was shown in the results presented by Abaïdia et al (2020) that peak power was significantly affected, especially during sprinting; other parameters such as aerobic performance, strength, fatigue and total work were not affected.
Specific to football players, Chtourou et al (2019) also offer insight using a systematic review. This time conclusions were made specific to skill-specific football activities and it was clearly stated that fasting had no impact on skill performance within a training environment. Similarly, short-term maximal physical exertion was claimed to not be affected by fasting, especially when the training load throughout the month of Ramadan was maintained consistently. During periods where players experienced de-loading, short-term maximal exertions would be affected, compared to the results before de-loading. Chtourou et al (2019) also showed that longer, endurance-based activities were significantly impacted by fasting.
Personally, I haven't attempted to engage in any endurance-based activities during Ramadan and from the advice I received from Jas Beg, as well as the research I have referenced above, it seems obvious that attempting endurance based activity whilst fasting would have a negative, or a harmful impact on physical health. With this in mind, you can understand why a performer at the highest level of their sport would not fast in the days around their performance - especially when it's arguably going to be the most testing performance of a European-based footballer's season.
Within the conclusions presented by Chtourou et al (2019) it was also highlighted that there was a real lack of research specific to female footballers. From my own internet browsing before writing these posts, I would certainly agree that research and coverage specific to female Muslim athletes is practically non-existent.
In one of the rare studies that I did find specific to women, I will have to be slightly critical of the small number of athletes involved and the testing which was performed. The study inolved twelve female professional/semi-professional Taekwando athletes aged 15-27, who had volunteered to be a part of the study (Memari et al, 2011). All of these athletes belonged to the same Taekwando club and had similar training patterns prior to and during the month of Ramadan. Testing was carried out in the week before Ramadan, the 2nd week, the 4th week, and two weeks post-fasting. The results presented by Memari et al (2011) showed that these athletes did not experience any form of reduced performance in physical testing throughout the process. These findings support the conclusions of Chtourou et al (2019) above, which suggest training performance can be maintained throughout Ramadan as long as intensity and frequency is kept at the same level.
However, a negative impact was shown by Memari et al (2011), in that body composition reduced in all athletes during Ramadan (before increasing again after Ramadan). This seems fairly positive initially; female athletes can maintain their performance during Ramadan, despite the poorer sleep patterns, high potential for dehydrationa and reduced calorie intake. However, completing 7-8 fitness tests isn't quite the same as playing a pivotal role in the Champions League final. It could be argued that the physical testing methods weren't challenging enough for these athletes. There was not any endurance-based activity being tested and no data or discussion was presented specific to Taekwando performance. Too much of this study was focused on body composition, without any effect of reduced body composition being considered against performance.
It doesn't take an actual scientist to suggest that more research is required in these areas, especially with regards to female Muslim athletes.
Fatigue will be the next area of interest in this discussion, and if I've learnt anything from my Ramadan experience so far, it is that I am definitely more fatigued. I quickly learnt in the first week that I need to plan naps in to my schedule to maintain my happiness, performance of tasks at home and work, and to train at the level I am capable of and to keep improving.
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