04/03/2024 03:02 PM

With the holy month of Ramadan fast approaching, Aspetar, the orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital, is offering valuable guidance to individuals who exercise regularly.

While many focus on the physical demands of fasting, Aspetar highlights the importance of understanding the psycho-social and cognitive impacts of Ramadan on those who remain active.

 

Understanding the Impacts:

During Ramadan, sleep disruptions and altered biological rhythms due to fasting can lead to increased stress levels, impacting mood and causing both physical and mental fatigue. This can be particularly challenging for individuals who exercise regularly, as they may experience a decline in their reaction time and decision-making abilities, especially during exercise.

 

Combating Negative Beliefs:

Some individuals who exercise during Ramadan may hold negative beliefs about their performance while fasting. This can lead to a nocebo effect, where the belief of decreased performance manifests, impacting their exercise experience.

 

Aspetar's Recommendations:

Aspetar offers several recommendations to help individuals who exercise during Ramadan optimize their well-being and performance:

Mental Preparation: Attending mental preparation courses before Ramadan can equip individuals with coping skills to manage stress and maintain a positive mindset.

Adjusting Exercise Routines: Adapting exercise routines to accommodate the fasting period is crucial. This may involve adjusting the intensity, duration, and timing of workouts. Consulting with a healthcare professional or qualified trainer can help individuals create a safe and effective exercise plan.

Building a Supportive Environment: Surrounding oneself with supportive individuals who provide encouragement and positive reinforcement can help combat negative beliefs and the nocebo effect.

Exploring the Role of Faith: While further research is needed, some studies suggest that strengthening religious connections and practices during Ramadan may offer additional benefits for individuals who exercise.

 

The culmination of 15 Years of Research

Aspetar's Clinical Guideline about Ramadan Fasting and Exercise for Healthy Individuals draws upon over 15 years of research in the sports medicine field. This comprehensive resource provides a wealth of evidence-based recommendations to help individuals navigate this unique period and maintain a safe and fulfilling exercise routine.

The Aspetar Clinical Guideline is available for free download. It provides detailed information and evidence-based recommendations to empower individuals who exercise during Ramadan, coaches, and healthcare professionals to make informed decisions and optimize their health and well-being throughout the holy month.

You can download the guide: https://www.aspetar.com/ramadan

 

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.