Aspetar, Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, in collaboration with an international team of researchers and scientists, has announced the completion of the largest and most comprehensive study to date on the effects of Ramadan Intermittent Fasting (RIF) on athletes' training, nutrition, and mental health.

The study, titled "A Global Study Investigating Athletes' Training, Nutrition, and Mental Health During Ramadan Intermittent Fasting: Knowledge, Beliefs, and Practices surveyed athletes from more than 50 Countries and Six Continents," marks a significant milestone in sports science research.

This groundbreaking research stands out for its unprecedented scale, involving 3,000 athletes from more than 50 countries across six continents. This extensive reach provides a truly global perspective on RIF's impact on athletic performance, making it the most comprehensive study of its kind to date.

The diversity of the participant pool is another key feature of the study. Athletes from various competitive levels were included, comprising world-class, international, national, state, and recreational athletes. This wide range ensures that the findings are applicable across different levels of athletic performance.

In a pioneering move, the study also included non-Muslim athletes living in Muslim-majority countries. This innovative inclusion offers unique insights into the cultural and environmental factors affecting training during Ramadan, broadening our understanding of the interplay between religious observance and athletic performance.

The research is undergoing a comprehensive analysis of athletes' experiences during Ramadan. It will explore training behaviors, knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and practices, with a specific focus on training intensity, frequency, and session duration during the fasting period and how does that differ among Muslims and non Muslims living in Muslim majority or Muslim minority countries. This holistic approach provides a nuanced understanding of how RIF affects various aspects of athletic preparation and performance.

The study was led by an esteemed team of researchers, including: Dr. Jad Adrian Washif from Malaysia And Prof. Karim Chamari, a renowned expert in sports science and medicine in Qatar.

This groundbreaking research is expected to provide valuable insights for athletes, coaches, and sports organizations worldwide, helping to optimize training and performance strategies during Ramadan. The findings will contribute to the development of tailored guidelines for athletes observing Ramadan fasting, as well as those training alongside fasting teammates.

Dr. Mohammed Farooq, Aspetar scientific researcher commented,

This study represents a significant leap forward in our understanding of how Ramadan Intermittent Fasting affects athletes across different cultures and competitive levels. The insights gained will be invaluable in developing evidence-based strategies to support athletes during this important religious observance.

Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital continues to lead the way in sports medicine research, reinforcing its position as a global center of excellence in athlete care and performance optimization.

About Aspetar:

Aspetar is a world-leading specialised orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital and the first of its kind in the Middle East. Since 2007, with a world expert team, the hospital has provided top-level comprehensive medical treatment to all athletes in a state-of-the-art facility that sets new standards internationally.

In 2009, Aspetar was accredited as a “FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence” by F-MARC. In 2013, Aspetar was adopted as a reference collaborator centre by the Gulf Countries Council (GCC) Health Ministers Council and “The IOC Research Centre for Prevention of Injury and Protection of Athlete Health” in 2014.

In 2015, Aspetar has been recognised as the “IHF Reference Centre for Athlete and Referee Health”. In the same year, the hospital also achieved obtained-on December 15 the Accreditation Canada International (ACI) “Platinum Level”.

Aspetar is a member–organisation of Aspire Zone Foundation, Qatar’s innovative sports and healthy lifestyle destination.