title: Effect of Ramadan observance on maximal muscular performance of trained men.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the influence of Ramadan fasting on maximal performance of moderately trained young men using various tests of muscle performance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Comparison of Ramadan fasting (n = 10) versus control group (n = 10) over 3 test sessions, before Ramadan (B), at the end of the first week of Ramadan (R-1), and during the fourth week of Ramadan (R-4).
  
  
  METHODS
  At each 2-day test session, 4 tests were performed in the same order: measurement of vertical jump height (VJH) and a force-velocity test using the arms on day 1, and measurement of handgrip force (HGF), and a force-velocity test using the legs on day 2.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty trained men.
  
  
  METHODS
  Maximal power of the arms and of the legs (force-velocity testing), vertical jump performance, HGF, anthropometric data, dietary intake, hemoglobin, and hematocrit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two-way analyses of variance (group × time) showed Ramadan fasters with decreased maximal anaerobic power of the arms (Wmax-A) and legs (Wmax-L) at R-1, with a partial return of arm data to initial values at R-4. Vertical jump height and HGF remained unchanged throughout. Other changes in Ramadan observers were a decreased energy intake and a decrease of plasma volume at R-1.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that Ramadan observance initially had detrimental effects on Wmax-A, and Wmax-L, with a tendency to recovery by week 4 of Ramadan. Reductions of total energy intake and intramuscular glycogen may contribute to the reduced Wmax-A and Wmax-L during Ramadan fasting.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Hatem
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bouhlel
authors.forename: Roy J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Shephard
authors.forename: Nebil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gmada
authors.forename: Chirine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aouichaoui
authors.forename: Gilbert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Peres
authors.forename: Zouhair
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Tabka
authors.forename: Ezdine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bouhlel
mesh_terms: D000886:Anthropometry; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005080:Exercise Test; D005215:Fasting / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007514:Islam; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult