Effects of Ramadan fasting on body composition, caloric intake, and training load in female rugby players.

This study investigated the effect of Ramadan fasting on body composition, caloric intake, and training load in 10 female rugby players. Assessments were conducted during three periods: one week before Ramadan, the first week of Ramadan and the last week of Ramadan. Results revealed that during Ramadan, compared to the week before Ramadan, there was a decrease in training load (ηp2 = 0.90), waist circumference (ηp2 = 0.84), body mass (ηp2 = 0.68), fat mass (ηp2 = 0.73), and body fat index (ηp2 = 0.70). Conversely, participants consumed more lipids during Ramadan than a week before it (ηp2 = 0.67). Moreover, higher training load was related to lower body mass index (rs = -0.69) and higher protein intake (rs = 0.62). Ramadan fasting in female rugby players may induce specific changes in body composition, caloric intake, and training load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]