The effects of Ramadan fasting on endurance running performance in male athletes

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Ramadan fasting on endurance running performance in male athlete. Fifteen male athletes (aged 20-25, mean age 22.5±1.14) were chosen for this study. The subjects were tested 2 times, first test was taken one week before the beginning of Ramadan (BR, control group) and second was in middle of Ramadan (MR, experimental group). Aerobic power was measured by using 30 minutes running on the track. The 20 min continuous endurance running criteria test consisted of a 45 min running at 55% of maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), followed by another 45 min where subjects performed running at 90% maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max). Body weight, body mass index, fat free mass, body fat and urinary density were recorded before BR and MR trials. Capillary blood lactate samples, total body water and heart rate recordings were taken immediately after finishing 30 min running in BR and MR conditions. There were no significant differences in BR & MR trials during the first 45 min. Subjects cycled significantly (p > 0.05) further during the second 45 min in BR compared to MR conditions (28312±1538 vs. 24643±1465 m). T independent analysis indicated that there were significant (p > 0.05) blood glucose concentration, total body water and blood lactate changes in BR vs. MR conditions. Furthermore, there were no significant changes in body weight, body mass index, fat free mass, body fat, urinary density, mean heart rate (all p > 0.05) between the trials. The results of this study revealed that Ramadan fasting had a small significant impact on endurance running performance.