{"id":10488,"date":"2023-03-22T06:00:22","date_gmt":"2023-03-22T05:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/bjsm\/?p=10488"},"modified":"2023-03-22T05:25:36","modified_gmt":"2023-03-22T04:25:36","slug":"the-ramadan-fasting-athlete-competing-in-good-health-and-for-optimum-performance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/bjsm\/2023\/03\/22\/the-ramadan-fasting-athlete-competing-in-good-health-and-for-optimum-performance\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ramadan fasting athlete; competing in good health and for optimum performance."},"content":{"rendered":"

A pre-participation evaluation medical questionnaire to support the fasting athlete.<\/span><\/p>\n

Introduction<\/b><\/p>\n

The month of Ramadan presents a unique challenge for Muslim athletes, with regards to planning for competition and training, whilst fasting. During this month, many Muslim athletes abstain from consuming food and fluid during day light hours (from dawn to sunset), increasing their focus on self-reflection and prayer as part of one of their key pillars of faith. Professional athletes exercising in the fasted state may also present with several health issues, particularly in extreme environmental conditions and\/or if the athlete suffers from any underlying medical conditions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We propose, for the first ever time, a pre-participation evaluation questionnaire for Ramadan fasting athletes. This will aim to assist and guide discussions between the Sports Medicine & Science teams and fasting athletes to support their wellbeing and safe participation in sport during Ramadan.<\/span><\/p>\n

Understanding the needs of fasting athletes<\/b><\/p>\n

Many athletes may have previously exercised or trained during their academy\/non-professional years whilst fasting in Ramadan. Consequently, it is likely that they have self-regulated their training loads without the input from medical and coaching staff. This represents a challenge to medical teams, as it may not be apparent which players are exercising in the fasted state. It is customary for many athletes to maintain their normal activities, as best as possible, and integrate fasting within their day-to-day lives.<\/span><\/p>\n

Awareness of how to adapt training and nutrition for fasting athletes were previously based on personal experience or recently available expert guidance (1\u20134). Although there is increasing awareness and advice for fasting athletes, many athletes anecdotally report changes to training, sleep and nutrition without seeking medical advice. This is typically attributed to the lack of Ramadan-specific awareness of some Sports Medicine, Sports Science and\/or coaching support staff.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To the best of our knowledge, there have been no attempts to develop a standardised and validated \u2018\u2019Ramadan and sport pre-participation questionnaire\u2019\u2019. We, therefore, propose that early dialogues between the Sports Medicine & Science teams and fasting athletes can help to identify any health concerns and support inclusivity in sport.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Figure 1 – Ramadan Fasting Athlete: Pre-Participation Evaluation Questionnaire<\/b><\/p>\n

This is an early draft to commence open discussions with specialists and clinicians working with athletes. We hope to develop a more comprehensive and pragmatic tool for the future.<\/span>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Approaching discussions around the impacts of Health, Nutrition, Sleep and Training on exercising whilst in the fasted state.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Sleep, nutrition, body composition, training loads and recovery need to be closely monitored to optimise sport performance during Ramadan (5). Thus, depending on the athletes\u2019 sex, sport, competition level, preferences and habits, a tailored sensitive approach can be utilised to address these factors.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sleep<\/b><\/p>\n