title: Effects of Ramadan intermittent fasting on middle-distance running performance in well-trained runners.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess whether Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF) affects 5000-m running performance and physiological parameters classically associated with middle-distance performance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two experimental groups (Ramadan fasting, n = 9, vs control, n = 9) participated in 2 experimental sessions, one before RIF and the other at the last week of fasting.
  
  
  METHODS
  For each session, subjects completed 4 tests in the same order: a maximal running test, a maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of knee extensor, 2 rectangular submaximal exercises on treadmill for 6 minutes at an intensity corresponding to the first ventilatory threshold (VT1), and a running performance test (5000 m).
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen, well-trained, middle-distance runners.
  
  
  METHODS
  Maximal oxygen consumption, MVC, running performance, running efficiency, submaximal VO(2) kinetics parameters (VO(2), VO(2)b, time constant τ, and amplitude A1) and anthropometric parameters were recorded or calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the end of Ramadan fasting, a decrease in MVC was observed (-3.2%; P < 0.00001; η, 0.80), associated with an increase in the time constant of oxygen kinetics (+51%; P < 0.00007; η, 0.72) and a decrease in performance (-5%; P < 0.0007; η, 0.51). No effect was observed on running efficiency or maximal aerobic power.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that Ramadan changes in muscular performance and oxygen kinetics could affect performance during middle-distance events and need to be considered to choose training protocols during RIF.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Human Motricity, Education Sport and Health, University of Nice Sophia Antipolis, Nice, France. brisswalter@unice.fr
authors.forename: Jeanick
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brisswalter
authors.forename: Ezzedine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bouhlel
authors.forename: Jean Marie
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Falola
authors.forename: Christopher R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Abbiss
authors.forename: Jean Marc
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Vallier
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hausswirth
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hauswirth
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D004576:Electromyography; D005080:Exercise Test; D005215:Fasting / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007514:Islam; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D010100:Oxygen / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D013848:Thigh; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen