Hemostatic measurements were performed in 33 volunteers in the morning and afternoon in one day during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, and were then repeated on an ordinary nonfasting day. There were no significant diurnal fluctuations in plasmatic hemostatic parameters either in Ramadan or on a nonfasting day. There was no difference in the morning and afternoon platelet aggregation responses between Ramadan and the nonfasting period. However, aggregation responses to ADP (2 μM/L), adrenaline, collagen, and arachidonic acid were diminished during Ramadan as compared to the nonfasting day. It is concluded that the stress encountered during the Ramadan fast, as depicted in the platelet aggregation responses, is less than that encountered on an ordinary nonfasting day.MT Kordy, AGMA Gader, The Effect of Fasting in Ramadan on Hemostatic Variables. 1991; 11(1): 23-27 The fasting month of Ramadan is the ninth lunar month of the Muslim calendar. It is during this time when all Muslims are obliged to observe a dawn to sunset fast, but may consume any food and drink from sunset to dawn. Previous studies on the physiological responses to Ramadan fasting have documented biochemical [1][2][3][4][5][6][7], hematological [3,6,8], and hormonal [4] changes, but no studies have been done to investigate the responses of the hemostatic system. The total fast during an ordinary working day is stressful, and it is well established that a wide variety of stressful stimuli produce measurable effects on platelet function, coagulation, and fibrinolysis [9].We report the results of measurements of a variety of hemostatic variables, including platelet aggregation, in healthy volunteers observing the Ramadan fast. The same measurements were repeated in an ordinary working day. As far as we know, no similar study has been done before. Material and MethodsA total of 33 volunteers (30 males, 3 females) were studied (mean age, 32 ± 4.98 yr SD; mean weight, 69.9 ± 7.98 kg SD). They were members of the academic, technical, or clinical staff, or students at the College of Medicine, as well as members of the general public. Only three subjects smoked an average of less than 10 cigarettes per day; the rest were nonsmokers.Ramadan blood samples were obtained at 9:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M., five and ten hours after the last intake of food or drink during a working day inthe third week of Ramadan (9:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. are the start and end of the working day during Ramadan). The same subjects were studied again during a nonfasting day (working hours, 7:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.), and blood samples were drawn at the same time of day as during the fasting period. The 7:30 A.M. sample was taken after the subject had ingested a cup of tea and biscuits but no fatty food; the 4:30 P.M. samples were collected approximately 2 to 3 hours after an ordinary lunch had been eaten. Blood samples were collected from an antecubital vein with the minimum of venous stasis and added to sodium citrate (0.11 M) in a vacutainer plastic tube (Sarstedt, West Germany) to ...

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The maximum oxygen uptake (VO 2 max) of 21 nonendurance-training Saudi athletes (weight lifters, wrestlers, boxers, and gymnasts) was measured using the multistage Bruce protocol. Their weight, height, and percentage of body fat were also assessed. Comparison of the results obtained with endurance-training Saudi athletes and Sudanese physical education students showed a significant difference in resting pulse rates and body weights, but no difference in heights and body fat levels. The VO 2 max of the study group was much lower than that for the endurance-training population and not significantly different from a sedentary population. The VO 2 max of the study group was much lower than international standards for athletes involved in the same types of sports. It was concluded that nonendurance training does not impose an extra load on the cardiorespiratory system. MT Kordy, Aerobic Capacity in Saudi Athletes. 1989; 9(5): 466-470 Maximum oxygen uptake (VO 2 max) is the highest oxygen consumption an individual can attain breathing air at sea level. It measures the capacity of the cardiorespiratory system to transport oxygen to all tissues, especially to the working muscles, and also the capacity of working muscles to consume oxygen. Measured under standardized conditions, VO 2 max is a reproducible individual characteristic. Moreover, VO 2 max is accepted to be the best criterion for the assessment of an individual's physical fitness or aerobic capacity.