The effect of Ramadan fasting on some basic blood components in middle-distance runners - a field study among national team runners

Abstract

By observing various sporting events, such as scientific championships and the Olympic Games, we can see the importance that major countries place on developing and promoting competitive sports. This development includes introducing scientifically based training systems, particularly for elite sports, which lead to high-level performance. Reaching this high level depends on providing substantial financial resources and requires athletes to undergo very intensive training. Athletes often perform more than 500 training sessions per year, with only short rest periods to recover their psychophysiological capabilities. Rest is not limited to physical activity but also includes the use of physiological aids, pharmaceuticals, and nutrition. Nutrition is particularly important because, regardless of an athlete's level—whether elite or amateur—they have a vital need for a rich and balanced diet that meets all their energy, vitamin, and mineral requirements for training, competition, and academic or professional life. In this regard, Muslim athletes are unable to maintain this level of training intensity and volume throughout the year because they are obligated to fast for a full month each year, namely the holy month of Ramadan. Thus, Muslim athletes, like other citizens, are required to abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset during a lunar month, while also adhering to religious rituals that necessitate a change in their usual lifestyle, resulting in more focused eating hours and irregular sleep-wake cycles. For this reason, several researchers have conducted studies on the condition of athletes during fasting. Some have concluded that fasting increases the strength, health, and resistance of the individual and the athlete (5), while others believe that fasting exposes the body to risks, especially for athletes (53, 48, 17).