Effect of Ramadan intermittent fasting on cognitive, physical and biochemical responses to strenuous short-term exercises in elite young female handball players.

Ahmed Graja, Kais Ghattassi, Nahla Boudhina, Mohamed Amine Bouzid, Henda Chahed, Salyma Ferchichi, Tarak Driss, Nizar Souissi, Omar Hammouda

Journal: Physiology & behavior 2021;229():113241

PMID: 33157076

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

The present study aimed to assess the effect of Ramadan intermittent fasting (RF) on cognitive and physical performance and biochemical responses to specific exercises in elite young female handball players. Twelve athletes participated in three experimental sessions: one week before Ramadan (BR), during the first week of Ramadan (FWR) and during the last week of Ramadan (LWR). The present crossover study was carried out in Tunisia during the 2013 Ramadan month lasting from 9 July to 7 august. During each session, a battery of tests was performed as follow: Hooper index, vigilance test (VT), Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), five jump test (5-JT), modified agility T-test (MAT), maximal standing ball-throw velocity test (MSBVT) and Running-based Anaerobic Sprint (RAST) Test. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was recorded immediately after the RAST. Blood samples were collected before and after exercises during each session. The results showed that ESS scores were higher during LWR than BR (p < 0.05). Moreover, MSBVT time decreased (p < 0.05) during LWR, therefore performance enhanced. The power of three final sprints from the RAST decreased significantly only during LWR compared to BR (p < 0.05). RAST fatigue index and RPE scores were higher during LWR more than BR (p < 0.05). The results showed also that hematological measures (i.e., red blood cells, hemoglobin and hematocrit), plasma osmolarity and energetic markers were unaffected by RF. Biomarkers of muscle damage were higher after the RAST only during LWR compared to BR (p < 0.01 for all). In conclusion, RF increased ESS and decreased RAST performances associated with higher muscle damage and fatigue, especially at LWR. These previous alterations could be attributed to disturbances of sleep and circadian rhythms rather than nutritional deficiency or dehydratation.

Address: Research Laboratory, Molecular Bases of Human Pathology, LR19ES13, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia; High institute of sport and physical education, Ksar-Said, Manouba University, Manouba, Tunisia. Electronic address: [email protected].; Research Laboratory: Education, Motricité, Sport et Santé, EM2S, LR19JS01, High Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia.; High institute of sport and physical education, Ksar-Said, Manouba University, Manouba, Tunisia.; Biochemistry Laboratory, CHU Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisia.; Interdisciplinary Laboratory in Neurosciences, Physiology and Psychology: Physical Activity, Health and learning (LINP2), UPL, UFR STAPS, Paris Nanterre University, Nanterre, France.; Research Unit Physical Activity, Sport and Health, UR18JS01, National Observatory of Sport, Tunis, Tunisia.; Research Laboratory, Molecular Bases of Human Pathology, LR19ES13, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia; Interdisciplinary Laboratory in Neurosciences, Physiology and Psychology: Physical Activity, Health and learning (LINP2), UPL, UFR STAPS, Paris Nanterre University, Nanterre, France.

DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2020.113241

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MeSH Terms: Athletic Performance, Cognition, Cross-Over Studies, Fasting, Female, Humans, Islam, Tunisia