@Article{Washif2022,
journal="Biology of Sport",
issn="0860-021X",
volume="39",
number="4",
year="2022",
title="Ramadan intermittent fasting induced poorer training practices during the COVID-19 lockdown: A global
cross-sectional study with 5529 athletes from 110 countries",
abstract="Ramadan intermittent fasting during the COVID-19 lockdown (RIFL) may present unique demands. We investigated training practices (i.e., training load and training times) of athletes, using pre-defined survey criteria/questions, during the ‘first’ COVID-19 lockdown, comparing RIFL to lockdown-alone (LD) in Muslim athletes. Specifically, a within-subject, survey-based study saw athletes (n = 5,529; from 110 countries/territories) training practices (comparing RIFL to LD) explored by comparative variables of: sex; age; continent; athlete classification (e.g., world-class); sport classification (e.g., endurance); athlete status (e.g., professional); and level of training knowledge and beliefs/attitudes (ranked as: good/moderate/poor). During RIFL (compared to LD), athlete perceptions (ranges presented given variety of comparative variables) of their training load decreased (46–62%), were maintained (31–48%) or increased (2–13%). Decreases (≥ 5%, p < 0.05) affected more athletes aged 30–39 years than those 18–29 years (60 vs 55%); more national than international athletes (59 vs 51%); more team sports than precision sports (59 vs 46%); more North American than European athletes (62 vs 53%); more semi-professional than professional athletes (60 vs 54%); more athletes who rated their beliefs/attitudes ‘good’ compared to ‘poor’ and ‘moderate’ (61 vs 54 and 53%, respectively); and more athletes with ‘moderate’ than ‘poor’ knowledge (58 vs 53%). During RIFL, athletes had different strategies for training times, with 13–29% training twice a day (i.e., afternoon and night), 12–26% at night only, and 18–36% in the afternoon only, with ranges depending on the comparative variables. Training loads and activities were altered negatively during RIFL compared to LD. It would be prudent for decision-makers responsible for RIFL athletes to develop programs to support athletes during such challenges.",
author="Washif, Jad
and B. Pyne, David
and Sandbakk, Øyvind
and Trabelsi, Khaled
and Aziz, Abdul Rashid
and Beaven, Christopher
and Krug, Isabel
and Mujika, Iñigo
and Ammar, Achraf
and Chaouachi, Anis
and Moussa-Chamari, Imen
and Aloui, Asma
and Chtourou, Hamdi
and Farooq, Abdulaziz
and Haddad, Monoem
and Romdhani, Mohamed
and Salamh, Paul
and Tabben, Montassar
and Wong, Del
and Zerguini, Yacine
and DeLang, Matthew D.
and Taylor, Lee
and Ben Saad, Helmi
and Chamari, Karim",
pages="1103--1115",
doi="10.5114/biolsport.2022.117576",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2022.117576"
}