https://doi.org/10.5812/asjsm.34748

Effect of Ramadan Fasting on Body Water Status Markers after a Rugby Sevens Match

authors:

avatar Khaled Trabelsi 1 , * , avatar Haithem Rebai 1 , avatar Kais el-Abed 1 , avatar Stephen R. Stannard 2 , avatar Hamdi Khannous 3 , avatar Liwa Masmoudi 3 , avatar Zouheir Sahnoun 3 , avatar Ahmed Hakim 3 , avatar Nicole Fellman 4 , avatar Zouhair Tabka 1

Laboratory of Cardio-Circulatory, Respiratory, Metabolic and Hormonal Adaptations to the Muscular Exercise, Faculty of Medicine Ibn El Jazzar, 4002 Sousse, Tunisia
Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health, Massey University, New Zealand
Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Sfax 3029, Tunisia
Laboratory of Sports Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France; Department of Sports Medicine, CHU of Clermont-Ferrand, France
Asian Journal of Sports Medicine: Vol.2, issue 3; 186-194
published online: August 31, 2011
article type: Research Article
received: May 19, 2011
accepted: July 2, 2011

how to cite: Trabelsi K, Rebai H, el-Abed K, Stannard S R, Khannous H, et al. Effect of Ramadan Fasting on Body Water Status Markers after a Rugby Sevens Match. Asian J Sports Med. 2011;2(3):34748. https://doi.org/10.5812/asjsm.34748.

Abstract

Purpose:

To evaluate the effect of Ramadan fasting on body water status markers of rugby players at basal condition and following a simulation of rugby sevens match.

Methods:

Twelve recreational rugby sevens players played three matches: one day before Ramadan (before Ramadan), at the end of the first week of Ramadan (Beg-R) and at the end of Ramadan (End-R). Before and immediately after each match, body weight was determined and blood samples were taken for the measurement of body water status markers. Total body water was measured with an impedancemeter only before matches.

Results:

At rest, an increase in hematocrit (+4.4%, P=0.03), hemoglobin (+3.4%, P=0.01) and plasma osmolarity (+2.8%, P<0.001) was noticed at End-R compared to before Ramadan. Total body water measured before Ramadan did not differ significantly from that of Ramadan. After the match, values of hematocrit and plasma osmolarity increased significantly at End-R (+1.4%, P=0.02; +3.1%, P<0.001 respectively) compared to before Ramadan. Although, hemoglobin measured after matches occurring during Ramadan did not differ from those of before Ramadan. In response to matches, the change of percentage of body water status markers did not differ during each period of the investigation.

Conclusions:

The present results show that Ramadan fasting induces dehydration at basal conditions. Also, rugby sevens match played during Ramadan did not exacerbate the magnitude of responses to matches of blood and body water status markers.

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