Impact of the month of Ramadan on sport performance

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Published Jul 1, 2025
https://doi.org/10.62438/tunismed.v103i7.5767
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Vol. 103 No. 7 (2025): Tunis Med Jul 2025

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Asma Aloui
Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax.Research Unit “Physical Activity, Sport and Health” (UR18JS01), National Sports Observatory, Tunis, Tunisia.
Abd-Elbasset Abaïdia
APERE Laboratory, UR 3300, University of Picardy Jules Verne, Amiens, France.
Hamdi Chtourou
Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax.Research Unit “Physical Activity, Sport and Health” (UR18JS01), National Sports Observatory, Tunis, Tunisia
Anis Chaouachi
Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar-Saïd, University of La Manouba, La Manouba, Tunisia, Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand. Tunisian Research Laboratory "Sport Performance Optimisation", National Center of Medicine and Science in Sports, Tunis,Tunisia.

Abstract

Introduction: The holy month of Ramadan, with its spiritual demands and significant changes in lifestyle and eating habits, presents a unique challenge for Muslim athletes seeking to maintain their physical performance while adhering to their religious commitments.


Methods: This narrative review focuses on the effect of Ramadan fasting on athletic performance, how athletes adapt to these unique conditions, and the practical strategies implemented to optimize their resilience and performance.


Results: While offering inner renewal, this period of daily fasting imposes specific challenges that can affect athletes’ ability to excel in demanding sports.


Conclusion: Future research will need to define optimal protocols for adapting training during Ramadan to maximize physiological benefits and minimize negative impacts on performance.

Keywords:

Circadian Rhythm, Dietary Restriction, Hydration, Physiological adaptation, Sleep restriction

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

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