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June 24, 2026Biological Rhythm ResearchOpen Access

Ramadan fasting is linked to reduced parasympathetic activity and neuromuscular performance during adolescent match play.

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Why the study?

Does Ramadan intermittent fasting alter cardiac autonomic modulation, neuromuscular performance, and recovery in adolescent tennis players?

Population

16 male International Tennis Federation (ITF) junior players

Comparison

Ramadan intermittent fasting (mid-Ramadan) vs 15 days post-Ramadan (non-fasting condition)

Design

Cohort

Follow-up

15 days post-Ramadan

Key result

Ramadan intermittent fasting lowered parasympathetic activity (p<0.001, ηp2=0.269) and reduced neuromuscular performance (p=0.010, ηp2=0.085) during match play in adolescent tennis players.

Authors

NLNadia LakhdarMLMounir LandolsiHGHatem Ghouili

Discussion

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Member takes

Overview

May support HRV monitoring during Ramadan in adolescent athletes; hypothesis-generating and requires RCTs before practice change.

Key Points

  • The aim is to evaluate how Ramadan intermittent fasting affects cardiac and neuromuscular functions in adolescent tennis players.
  • Conducted a within-subject repeated-measures design with 16 ITF junior players during mid-Ramadan and 15 days post-Ramadan.
  • Assessed heart rate variability, countermovement jump performance, blood glucose, hydration markers, and perceived exertion before, during, and after a match.
  • Match play significantly reduced lnRMSSD (p < 0.001) and increased LF/HF (p < 0.001), indicating greater sympathetic activity.
  • Lower parasympathetic activity and reduced CMJ performance were observed during Ramadan (p = 0.010).
  • Impaired sleepiness, fatigue, and perceived recovery were significant (p < 0.001).

Structured PICO

Does Ramadan intermittent fasting alter cardiac autonomic modulation, neuromuscular performance, and recovery in adolescent tennis players?

P
Population
16 male International Tennis Federation (ITF) junior players
I
Intervention
Ramadan intermittent fasting (mid-Ramadan)
C
Comparator
15 days post-Ramadan (non-fasting condition)
O
Outcome
Heart rate variability (HRV), countermovement jump (CMJ), blood glucose, hydration markers, rating of perceived exertion, sleepiness, chronotype, fatigue, and recovery assessed at baseline (T0), between sets (T1), and post-match (T2)surrogate

Ramadan intermittent fasting reduces vagal activity and impairs neuromuscular performance in adolescent tennis players, highlighting the potential need for HRV-guided training and optimized recovery strategies.

Cite This Study

Lakhdar et al. (2026) studied this question. Ramadan intermittent fasting lowered parasympathetic activity (p<0.001, ηp2=0.269) and reduced neuromuscular performance (p=0.010, ηp2=0.085) during match play in adolescent tennis players.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a3c238ad15afadd906fa4eehttps://doi.org/10.1080/09291016.2026.2680178
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Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1Effects of Ramadan intermittent fasting on sleep, cognitive and physical performance in elite karate athletes: A within-subject repeated-measures study2026
  2. 2The impact of intermittent fasting during Ramadan on psychomotor and cognitive skills in adolescent athletes2024 · 1 citations
  3. 3Physiological, Neuromuscular, and Perceptual Responses to Matched High-Intensity Intermittent Exercise in Soccer Players Under Fed and Ramadan-Type Fasting Conditions2026
  4. 4Does Ramadan intermittent fasting affect the intraday variations of cognitive and high-intensity short-term maximal performances in young female handball players?2023 · 11 citations
  5. 5Post-match changes in biomarkers and fatigue-related physical performance parameters in adult amateur soccer players: the effects of fasting2026