Effects of Ramadan Fasting on Sleep and Physical Fitness among Young Female Handball Players.

OBJECTIVES

This study examines the potential impact of Ramadan fasting on sleep patterns and physical fitness in under 14 (U14) and under 17 (U17) female handball players.

METHODS

For this study, sixty-five female handball players' (U14, = 33 and U17, = 32) sleep habits were assessed before (BR) and during the first (R1) and last weeks (R4) of Ramadan using: the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Physical ability tests including balance and jumps were conducted throughout these periods.; Results: During Ramadan, both groups noted significant increases in PSQI and ISI scores during R1 ( < 0.01 and < 0.05, respectively) and R4 ( < 0.05 and < 0.05, respectively) compared to before Ramadan (BR). For the U14 group, a significant increase occurred in ESS scores during R1 ( < 0.01) and R4 ( < 0.05), whereas for the U17 group, this increase was limited over the R1 period ( < 0.05). In contrast, for all physical ability parameters, both groups showed no significant difference during R1 and R4; Conclusions: During adolescence, Ramadan fasting may alter sleep patterns in young female athletes but appears to have no effect on their performance in short-duration exercises.