Effects of time-restricted nutrition on urinary density, body composition and athletic performance: model Ramadan fast

BACKGROUND: Fasting is a restriction of foodstuff covering a certain period of time during the day. It is one of the religious services which people render due to their faith. Fasting is one of the intermittent starvation diets and, likewise, there are such diets that are designed in different styles and forms. This study has been carried out in order to study the effects of the Ramadan fast which is one of the time restricted nutritional models on the urinary density, body composition athletic performance. METHODS: Twenty-seven students whose age average is 20,57±1,59, who study at the Faculty of Sports Sciences and who play sports recreationally participated in the study. All participants recorded all the food which they took during the hours between the breaking and starting times of fasting when having food is allowed during the month of Ramadan. At the same time, the amount of water consumed, exercising and sleeping times, number of cigarettes smoked were recorded as well. In determining the somatotypes, a skinfold caliper, a tape and a digital compass were used in order to measure skin fold thickness, perimeter and diameter respectively. Body mass, fat, muscle, bone and water rates were measured by means of a digital body analysis scale. Urine chemistry was measured by the reflectance photometry method. A WAnT and Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test were performed in order to determine the anaerobic power level and the aerobic power level respectively. Shapiro-Wilk analysis, descriptive statistics and frequency analysis and T test were employed in the distribution of data, in the averages and preliminary test and final test comparison respectively. RESULTS: Consequently, fasting may be a benefit for either the reduction or stopping of cigarette smoking. At the same time, effective results may be obtained in losing weight despite the biological rhythm. If the exercise level is increased in a controlled manner and well organized, it may lead to an increase in muscular mass. CONCLUSIONS: As a result of this study, it was determined that the anaerobic power of fasting people increased and their aerobic power decreased. © 2023 Edizioni Minerva Medica. All rights reserved.