Ramadan Fasting and Short-Term Maximal Physical Performance: Searching for Optimal Timing of the Last Meal “Suhoor” in Female Pre-University Handball Players

Aiming to identify the ideal suhoor timing for maintaining optimal physical performance and health indicators during Ramadan intermittent fasting, the present study compares the effects of early vs. late Suhoor on short-term high-intensity physical exercise while controlling the body mass index (BMI...

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Main Authors: Houda Bougrine, Atef Salem, Nidhal Nasser, Achraf Ammar, Hamdi Chtourou, Nizar Souissi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-10-01
Series:European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2254-9625/13/10/152
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author Houda Bougrine
Atef Salem
Nidhal Nasser
Achraf Ammar
Hamdi Chtourou
Nizar Souissi
author_facet Houda Bougrine
Atef Salem
Nidhal Nasser
Achraf Ammar
Hamdi Chtourou
Nizar Souissi
author_sort Houda Bougrine
collection DOAJ
description Aiming to identify the ideal suhoor timing for maintaining optimal physical performance and health indicators during Ramadan intermittent fasting, the present study compares the effects of early vs. late Suhoor on short-term high-intensity physical exercise while controlling the body mass index (BMI) oral temperature (OT), dietary intake, and sleep patterns. In a randomized design, 19 female pre-university handball players (age: 16.8 ± 0.4 y; height: 1.70 ± 0.9 m; and body mass: 61.5 ± 6.9 kg) underwent two test sessions (at 08:00 a.m. and 05:00 p.m.) at four different conditions: ten days prior to Ramadan (R − 10), the final ten days of Ramadan (R) including both Early Suhoor R(ES) and Late Suhoor R(LS) conditions, and the ten days immediately following Ramadan (R + 10). A recovery period of at least 48 h has been set between successive test sessions at each period. Outcome measures included the Countermovement Jumps Test (CMJ), Modified Agility <i>t</i>-Test (MATT), Repeated Sprint Ability (RSA), and Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE). The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), OT, BMI, and daily diary intake were assessed across the three periods. The total scores of PSQI decreased significantly during R and R + 10 compared to R − 10. When performed in the afternoon, CMJ, MATT, and RSA performance decreased significantly at R(ES) and R(LS) conditions compared to R − 10. However, these performances decreased only after R(ES) when performed in the morning. Furthermore, performances were lower during R(ES) compared to R(LS) in the afternoon for all tests and the morning for MATT and RSA tests. These findings support prior research showing a deterioration of physical performance during Ramadan fasting and indicate a more pronounced impact following early Suhoor condition. Therefore, consuming a late suhoor, closer to pre-dawn time, could be suggested as an effective strategy to minimize physical performance decline during short-term high-intensity exercise.
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spelling doaj.art-f9b0fad3aa2e4ce0af4c548a41cb84b82023-11-19T16:17:53ZengMDPI AGEuropean Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education2174-81442254-96252023-10-0113102160217810.3390/ejihpe13100152Ramadan Fasting and Short-Term Maximal Physical Performance: Searching for Optimal Timing of the Last Meal “Suhoor” in Female Pre-University Handball PlayersHouda Bougrine0Atef Salem1Nidhal Nasser2Achraf Ammar3Hamdi Chtourou4Nizar Souissi5Physical Activity Research Unit, Sport and Health (UR18JS01), National Observatory of Sports, Tunis 1003, TunisiaPhysical Activity Research Unit, Sport and Health (UR18JS01), National Observatory of Sports, Tunis 1003, TunisiaPhysical Activity Research Unit, Sport and Health (UR18JS01), National Observatory of Sports, Tunis 1003, TunisiaHigh Institute of Sport and Physical Education Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax 3000, TunisiaPhysical Activity Research Unit, Sport and Health (UR18JS01), National Observatory of Sports, Tunis 1003, TunisiaPhysical Activity Research Unit, Sport and Health (UR18JS01), National Observatory of Sports, Tunis 1003, TunisiaAiming to identify the ideal suhoor timing for maintaining optimal physical performance and health indicators during Ramadan intermittent fasting, the present study compares the effects of early vs. late Suhoor on short-term high-intensity physical exercise while controlling the body mass index (BMI) oral temperature (OT), dietary intake, and sleep patterns. In a randomized design, 19 female pre-university handball players (age: 16.8 ± 0.4 y; height: 1.70 ± 0.9 m; and body mass: 61.5 ± 6.9 kg) underwent two test sessions (at 08:00 a.m. and 05:00 p.m.) at four different conditions: ten days prior to Ramadan (R − 10), the final ten days of Ramadan (R) including both Early Suhoor R(ES) and Late Suhoor R(LS) conditions, and the ten days immediately following Ramadan (R + 10). A recovery period of at least 48 h has been set between successive test sessions at each period. Outcome measures included the Countermovement Jumps Test (CMJ), Modified Agility <i>t</i>-Test (MATT), Repeated Sprint Ability (RSA), and Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE). The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), OT, BMI, and daily diary intake were assessed across the three periods. The total scores of PSQI decreased significantly during R and R + 10 compared to R − 10. When performed in the afternoon, CMJ, MATT, and RSA performance decreased significantly at R(ES) and R(LS) conditions compared to R − 10. However, these performances decreased only after R(ES) when performed in the morning. Furthermore, performances were lower during R(ES) compared to R(LS) in the afternoon for all tests and the morning for MATT and RSA tests. These findings support prior research showing a deterioration of physical performance during Ramadan fasting and indicate a more pronounced impact following early Suhoor condition. Therefore, consuming a late suhoor, closer to pre-dawn time, could be suggested as an effective strategy to minimize physical performance decline during short-term high-intensity exercise.https://www.mdpi.com/2254-9625/13/10/152ramadan intermittent fastingsuhoornutrient timingsleep patternsphysical performancefemale athletes
spellingShingle Houda Bougrine
Atef Salem
Nidhal Nasser
Achraf Ammar
Hamdi Chtourou
Nizar Souissi
Ramadan Fasting and Short-Term Maximal Physical Performance: Searching for Optimal Timing of the Last Meal “Suhoor” in Female Pre-University Handball Players
European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education
ramadan intermittent fasting
suhoor
nutrient timing
sleep patterns
physical performance
female athletes
title Ramadan Fasting and Short-Term Maximal Physical Performance: Searching for Optimal Timing of the Last Meal “Suhoor” in Female Pre-University Handball Players
title_full Ramadan Fasting and Short-Term Maximal Physical Performance: Searching for Optimal Timing of the Last Meal “Suhoor” in Female Pre-University Handball Players
title_fullStr Ramadan Fasting and Short-Term Maximal Physical Performance: Searching for Optimal Timing of the Last Meal “Suhoor” in Female Pre-University Handball Players
title_full_unstemmed Ramadan Fasting and Short-Term Maximal Physical Performance: Searching for Optimal Timing of the Last Meal “Suhoor” in Female Pre-University Handball Players
title_short Ramadan Fasting and Short-Term Maximal Physical Performance: Searching for Optimal Timing of the Last Meal “Suhoor” in Female Pre-University Handball Players
title_sort ramadan fasting and short term maximal physical performance searching for optimal timing of the last meal suhoor in female pre university handball players
topic ramadan intermittent fasting
suhoor
nutrient timing
sleep patterns
physical performance
female athletes
url https://www.mdpi.com/2254-9625/13/10/152
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