Effects of Ramadan Fasting on Sleep and Physical Fitness among Young Female Handball Players

• Main Authors: Mohamed Alaeddine Guembri (Author), Ghazi Racil (Author), Mohamed Tounsi (Author), Chirine Aouichaoui (Author), Luca Russo (Author), Gian Mario Migliaccio (Author), Yassine Trabelsi (Author), Nizar Souissi (Author), Johnny Padulo (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: MDPI AG, 2024-08-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

Objectives: This study examines the potential impact of Ramadan fasting on sleep patterns and physical fitness in under 14 (U14) and under 17 (U17) female handball players. Methods: For this study, sixty-five female handball players' (U14, <i>n</i> = 33 and U17, <i>n</i> = 32) sleep habits were assessed before (BR) and during the first (R1) and last weeks (R4) of Ramadan using: the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Physical ability tests including balance and jumps were conducted throughout these periods.; Results: During Ramadan, both groups noted significant increases in PSQI and ISI scores during R1 (<i>p</i> < 0.01 and <i>p</i> < 0.05, respectively) and R4 (<i>p</i> < 0.05 and <i>p</i> < 0.05, respectively) compared to before Ramadan (BR). For the U14 group, a significant increase occurred in ESS scores during R1 (<i>p</i> < 0.01) and R4 (<i>p</i> < 0.05), whereas for the U17 group, this increase was limited over the R1 period (<i>p</i> < 0.05). In contrast, for all physical ability parameters, both groups showed no significant difference during R1 and R4; Conclusions: During adolescence, Ramadan fasting may alter sleep patterns in young female athletes but appears to have no effect on their performance in short-duration exercises.

Item Description

10.3390/children11080954
2227-9067