Sport et Ramadan – Influence sur la performance en endurance

Abstract

The intermittent fasting of Ramadan could affect various aspects of body physiology and biochemistry important to athletic success. Sleep time may be shortened. Disturbance of psychomotor performance, impaired vigilance and slower reactions can be observed particularly during afternoon. Food intake is limited to night-time meals. Well disciplined athletes usually maintain energy balance unless daily energy expenditures are very high. Daytime fluid depletion is inevitable if athletes exercise in the heat. Some studies show an initial fluid depletion with recovery as Ramadan continues. Ramadan fasting has no major impact on substrate utilization and is not an effective fat-burning enhancing activity to lose fat mass. Exercising in the Ramadan fasted state leads to a greater psycho-physiological stress. Ratings of fatigue are increased. Performance of repeated anaerobic exercise is impaired but aerobic power and muscular strength show only little changes. Due to its smaller body mass, the child has more difficulty to compensate the effects of intermittent fasting and is more at risk of lacking vigilance and dehydration