2025/12/16 by Mohamed Kerkeni, Karim Chamari, Manel Kerkeni +8
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Medicine · Neuroscience · #Circadian rhythm and melatonin #Dietary Effects on Health #Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms
paper · pdf · doi:10.5114/biolsport.2026.156231
openalex created_date 2025/12/16 · openalex publication_date 2025/12/16 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
We explored how Ramadan fasting (RF) influences GPS-derived time-motion metrics and psychophysiological responses in soccer players during small-sided games (SSG).Twelve semi-professional male players (mean age 21.1 0.7 y; estimated V O2max 54.5 2.2 mL/min/kg) participated in four experimental SSG sessions in a within-subject, counterbalanced design.These sessions were scheduled at 15:00 and 21:00 before Ramadan, in a fed state (i.e., BR15 fed and BR21 fed ), and during the fourth week of Ramadan at 15:00 in a fasted state (DR15 fasted ) and at 21:00 in a fed state (DR21 fed ).Sleep patterns, dietary intake, and insomnia symptoms were evaluated during the week preceding and final week-of-Ramadan.Participants' Hooper index (wellness) and daytime sleepiness and mood measures were assessed before each session.Time-motion metrics using GPS and exercise heart rate (HR) were assessed during all sessions, and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were collected after each session.Except for a higher number of decelerations in DR21 fed session (p < 0.001), RF had no significant effect on other time-motion metrics.Absolute and relative exercise HR were higher at BR15 fed than at BR21 fed and at DR15 fasted .RPE, Hooper index scores, and perceptual stress and muscle soreness components were higher at DR15 fasted compared to BR15 fed .Additionally, RF was associated with decreased sleep duration (by ~45 minutes) and increased insomnia symptoms and daytime sleepiness, while mood states and dietary intake were unchanged.RF induced physiological and perceptual changes in response to exercise, particularly in the fasted state.However, SSG performance metrics remained stable, suggesting fasted athletes can maintain short-duration SSG performance regardless of fasting status.