Objective: To evaluate the effects of Ramadan fasting on physical performance measures in soccer players through a systematic appraisal of the literature.
Design: Systematic review Data sources: The entire content of two databases, PubMed/MEDLINE and Web of Science. Eligibility criteria for selecting studies: Both singlegroup, pre-post and crossover design studies published in any language before March 15, 2019 were included. Assessments of physical performance were accepted for analysis. study appraisal: The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using 'QualSyst'.
Results: Of 18 selected articles, 16 were generally of strong quality and the remaining studies (n=2) were rated as moderate, although most lacked significant details about the Ramadan fasting. Most studies showed that Ramadan fasting did not impair short-term maximal performances in soccer players (i.e., vertical jump, sprint performance, maximal voluntary contraction, hand grip, agility performance). During the 30-s Wingate test, the repeated sprint exercise (RSE) tasks, and the long-duration incremental and non-incremental exercises, most studies reported some negative effects of Ramadan fasting even when the training load was maintained. For the soccer specific skills and test with ball, most studies reported that there was no significant negative effects of the fasting month on performance when the training load was maintained or slightly reduced during the Ramadan.
Conclusions: The continuance of training during Ramadan fasting, with maintained training load, has no negative effects on short-term maximal performances and soccer specific skills and test with ball. However, performances of the 30-s Wingate test, the RSE tasks, and the long-duration incremental and non-incremental exercises were significantly impaired during Ramadan fasting even when the training load was maintained.