Effect of Ramadan intermittent fasting on body composition and neuromuscular performance in young athletes: a pilot study

Abstract

There is a conflict in the literature with regard to effects of the Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF) on body composition and neuromuscular performance. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the effect of the RIF on body mass/composition and neuromuscular performance during maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and a muscle endurance exercise (Tlim ) of the knee extensors. Eight adolescents (17.2 ± 0.5 years) karate players were tested. Anthropometric variables (i.e. body mass, body mass index, fat mass and lean body mass) were evaluated 7 days before Ramadan (T1), and on days 7 (T2) and 28 (T3) of Ramadan. Each subject performed three MVC and a Tlim at 75% of MVC at T1, T2, and T3. Surface electromyographic (EMG) activity of vastus lateralis and vastus medialis was recorded during these neuromuscular tests. The anthropometric variables were unaltered by RIF. Likewise, there was no significant effect of RIF on the MVC (P = 0.29) and the Tlim (P = 0.22). This result was in accordance with the absence of change in both EMG activity level during MVC and in the rate of changes in EMG parameters (EMG activity level and frequency content) during Tli m . The results of the present study suggest that RIF does not impair maximal force generating capacity and muscle endurance at 75% of MVC. Therefore, Muslim experienced athletes could maintain their neuromuscular performance level by undertaking usual training loads during RIF.