Ramadan intermittent fasting induced poorer training practices during the COVID-19 lockdown: A global
cross-sectional study with 5529 athletes from 110 countries

Washif, Jad Adrian; Pyne, David B.; Sandbakk, Øyvind; Trabelsi, Khaled; Aziz, Abdul Rashid Abdul; Beaven, Christopher Martyn; Krug, Isabel; Mujika, Iñigo; Ammar, Achraf; Chaouachi, Anis; Moussa-Chamari, Imen; Aloui, Asma; Chtourou, Hamdi; Farooq, Abdulaziz; Haddad, Monoem; Romdhani, Mohamed; Salamh, Paul A.; Tabben, Montassar; Wong, Del P; Zerguini, Yacine; DeLang, Matthew D.; Taylor, Lee; Saad, Helmi Ben; Chamari, Karim

doi:10.5114/biolsport.2022.117576

Cited by 13 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…The originality of our work identifies the potential application of remote exercise and doing so in a reproducible way that is of ecological importance. Given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on athletes’ training behaviours 23 , our results are likely to be used in assisting coaches and athletes in their virtual training monitoring and the development of new remote-study designs by sports scientists.…”

Section: Practical Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reproducibility of 20-min Time-trial Performance on a Virtual Cycling Platform

et al. 2022

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This study aimed to analyse the reproducibility of mean power output during 20-min cycling time-trials, in a remote home-based setting, using the virtual-reality cycling software, Zwift. Forty-four cyclists (11 women, 33 men; 37 ± 8 years old, 180 ± 8 cm, 80.1 ± 13.2 kg) performed 3 x 20-min time-trials on Zwift, using their own setup. Intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), coefficient of variation (CV) and typical error (TE) were calculated for the overall sample, split into 4 performance groups based on mean relative power output (25% quartiles) and sex. Mean ICC, TE and CV of mean power output between time-trials were 0.97 [0.95—0.98], 9.36 W [8.02—11.28 W], and 3.7% [3.2—4.5], respectively. Women and men had similar outcomes (ICC: 0.96 [0.89—0.99] vs 0.96 [0.92—0.98]; TE: 8.30 W [6.25—13.10] vs. 9.72 W [8.20—12.23]; CV: 3.8% [2.9—6.1] vs. 3.7% [3.1—4.7], respectively), although cyclists from the first quartile showed a lower CV in comparison to the overall sample (Q1: 2.6% [1.9—4.1] vs. overall: 3.7% [3.2—4.5]). Our results indicate that power output during 20-minute cycling time-trials on Zwift are reproducible and provide sports scientists, coaches and athletes, benchmark values for future interventions in a virtual-reality environment.

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Section: Practical Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reproducibility of 20-min Time-trial Performance on a Virtual Cycling Platform

et al. 2022

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“…Next, questions related to mental health and sleeping habits (Pillay, et al, 2020;Romdhani, et al, 2022b) may offer additional perspectives regarding the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on athletes in the Philippines (Leyton-Román, de la Vega, & Jiménez-Castuera, 2020). Furthermore, Ramadan intermittent fasting, which has taken place during the lockdown, could have influenced the lockdown effects among Muslim athletes, which we addressed elsewhere (Washif, et al, 2022d). Additionally, the data covered the early COVID-19 pandemic, depicting relatively shortterm practices and effects.…”

Section: Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Training practices of Filipino athletes during the early covid-19 lockdown

Pagaduan

Haddad

Chamari

et al. 2022

Kinesiology (Zagreb, Online)

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The imposition of COVID-19 lockdown restricted the daily activities of many people, including athletes. This study investigated the training practices of athletes in the Philippines during the first COVID-19 lockdown. A total of 442 athletes answered an online survey (May-July 2020), with questions pertaining to training practices, such as training frequency and duration. Data were analyzed according to: athlete classification (world-class, international, national, state, or recreational), sport category (individual or team), and sex (male or female). During lockdown, significant reductions in training frequency (except recreational, i.e., lower pre-lockdown training) and duration were observed for all athlete classifications. Similarly, training frequency and duration decreased significantly irrespective of sport category and sex. World class athletes appeared to be less affected by lockdown (types of exercise and specific training) as compared to lower-classification athletes. Athletes grouped in accordance with sex and sport category demonstrated little to no difference in training practices during the COVID-19 lockdown. The findings of the current study highlight the challenges experienced by athletes during lockdown, which may aid policy makers in the development of guidelines related to lockdown or lockdown-like situations and establish appropriate support for affected athletes.

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“…Almost as soon as the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was declared, daily routines of people worldwide including athletes were disrupted. Mandated lockdowns and other measures associated with varying levels of restriction on movement and social interactions (daily living, occupational and physical activity) were imposed across the globe that negatively impacted factors including mental health, sleep patterns, nutritional intake, and fitness levels (Ammar et al, 2020;Trabelsi et al, 2021;Washif et al, 2022b;Romdhani et al, 2022c). Consequently, athletes, from Recreational to World-Class calibre, were forced to alter their training routines (such as training loads and modalities) due to the imposed constraints (Washif et al, 2022e).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These constraints necessitated modified training that was often home-based and streamed on the internet (Ammar et al, 2021;Tjønndal, 2022). This online support was especially evident among elite-level athletes (Washif et al, 2022b).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Logistical constraints and limited resources delayed the implementation of training assistance and athlete support. A largescale study involving >12,000 athletes with diverse characteristics from 142 countries reported widespread challenges faced by athletes, including disruptions to training and decreased motivation levels among athletes (Washif et al, 2022b). Following this, a study that focused specifically on a sample of elite Malaysian athletes (n = 76) reported negative experiences from mandatory lockdown such as increased mental and emotional stress, fewer nutritional choices, and reduced training motivation (Washif et al, 2021;Washif et al, 2022a).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Athlete level, sport-type, and gender influences on training, mental health, and sleep during the early COVID-19 lockdown in Malaysia

Washif¹,

Kok

James

et al. 2023

Front. Physiol.

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Purpose: We evaluated the extent of changes in training practices, recovery, mental health, and sleep patterns of athletes during the early COVID-19 lockdown in a single country-cohort.Methods: A total of 686 athletes (59% male, 41% female; 9% World Class, 28% International, 29% National, 26% State, 8% Recreational) from 50 sports (45% individual, 55% team) in Malaysia completed an online, survey-based questionnaire study. The questions were related to training practices (including recovery and injury), mental health, and sleep patterns.Results: Relative to pre-lockdown, training intensity (−34%), frequency (−20%, except World-Class), and duration (−24%–59%, especially International/World-Class) were compromised, by the mandated lockdown. During the lockdown, more space/access (69%) and equipment (69%) were available for cardiorespiratory training, than technical and strength; and these resources favoured World-Class athletes. Most athletes trained for general strength/health (88%) and muscular endurance (71%); and some used innovative/digital training tools (World-Class 48% vs. lower classification-levels ≤34%). More World-Class, International, and National athletes performed strength training, plyometrics, and sport-specific technical skills with proper equipment, than State/Recreational athletes. More females (42%) sourced training materials from social media than males (29%). Some athletes (38%) performed injury prevention exercises; 18% had mild injuries (knees 29%, ankles 26%), and 18% received a medical diagnosis (International 31%). Lower-level athletes (e.g., State 44%) disclosed that they were mentally more vulnerable; and felt more anxious (36% vs. higher-levels 14%–21%). Sleep quality and quantity were “normal” (49% for both), “improved” (35% and 27%), and only 16% and 14% (respectively) stated “worsened” sleep.Conclusion: Lockdown compromised training-related practices, especially in lower-level athletes. Athletes are in need of assistance with training, and tools to cope with anxiety that should be tailored to individual country requirements during lockdown situations. In particular, goal-driven (even if it is at home) fitness training, psychological, financial, and lifestyle support can be provided to reduce the difficulties associated with lockdowns. Policies and guidelines that facilitate athletes (of all levels) to train regularly during the lockdown should be developed.

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Ramadan intermittent fasting induced poorer training practices during the COVID-19 lockdown: A global cross-sectional study with 5529 athletes from 110 countries

Cited by 13 publications

References 32 publications

Reproducibility of 20-min Time-trial Performance on a Virtual Cycling Platform

Reproducibility of 20-min Time-trial Performance on a Virtual Cycling Platform

Training practices of Filipino athletes during the early covid-19 lockdown

Athlete level, sport-type, and gender influences on training, mental health, and sleep during the early COVID-19 lockdown in Malaysia

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