title: Repeated-sprint training in the fasted state during Ramadan: morning or evening training?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present study assessed the optimal moment of the day for repeated-sprint training in the fasted state during Ramadan.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty amateur soccer players were randomly assigned to a morning training group (MTG, training at ~08:00 a.m., N.=10), an evening training group (ETG, training around 06:00 p.m., N.=10), and a control group (N.=10). Training sessions, conducted on alternate days, consisted of 3 sets of 6×40-m shuttle sprints (2×20 m with 180° direction changes). A 20-second passive recovery and a 4-minute passive recovery were allowed between repetitions and sets, respectively. Before and after Ramadan, performance was assessed at both 08:00 a.m. and 06:00 p.m. by Countermovement Jump (CMJ), Repeated-Sprint Test (RST), and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (YYIRT1).
  
  
  RESULTS
  After Ramadan, YYIRT1 performances were enhanced for both groups in the morning (7.82% and 6.29% for MTG and ETG, respectively, P<0.05), and in the evening (6.61% and 11.20%, respectively, P<0.05). Relative changes in YYIRT1 (P=0.33) and RST (-2.13% and -3.44% for MTG and ETG, respectively, P=0.49) at the specific time of training were similar for both groups. No differences were observed in CMJ performances before and after Ramadan for any group (P>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Morning or evening repeated-sprint training conducted in the fasted state during Ramadan enhanced soccer-specific endurance similarly.
authors.affiliation: High Institute of Sport and Physical Education, University of Gafsa, Gafsa, Tunisia - aloui.asma@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Asma
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aloui
authors.affiliation: Research Unit of Movement Physiology, Biomechanics, and Imaging, Laboratoire CeRSM (EA 2931), UFR STAPS, Paris Ouest Nanterre La Défense University, Nanterre, France.
authors.forename: Tarak
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Driss
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sciences, University of Carthage, Bizerte, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Hana
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Baklouti
authors.affiliation: Research Institute of Montfort Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada.|Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Hamdi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jaafar
authors.affiliation: Research Unit of Movement Physiology, Biomechanics, and Imaging, Laboratoire CeRSM (EA 2931), UFR STAPS, Paris Ouest Nanterre La Défense University, Nanterre, France.
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Hammouda
authors.affiliation: Research Center of Athlete Health and Performance, ASPETAR, Qatar Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Karim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chamari
authors.affiliation: National Observatory on Sport, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Nizar
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Souissi
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D056352:Athletes; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D005215:Fasting / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007514:Islam; D008297:Male; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult