Int J Sports Med 2008; 29(4): 282-288
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-965338
Physiology & Biochemistry

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Lipid Profiles of Judo Athletes during Ramadan

A. Chaouachi1 , K. Chamari1 , R. Roky2 , P. Wong3 , A. Mbazaa1 , 4 , Z. Bartagi1 , M. Amri5
  • 1Research Unit “Evaluation, Sport, Santé”, National Center of Medicine and Science in Sports (CNMSS), Tunis, Tunisia
  • 2Département de Biologie, Laboratoire de Physiologie et de Génétique Moléculaie, Université Hassan II, Ain Chock, Morocco
  • 3Strength and Conditioning Department, Hong Kong Sports Institute, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
  • 4Biochemistry Laboratory, Hospital La Rabta, Tunis, Tunisia
  • 5Laboratoire de Physiologie de la Nutrition, Faculté des Sciences Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision February 1, 2007

Publication Date:
18 September 2007 (online)

Abstract

The effect of Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF) was studied on a battery of blood lipid markers in 15 elite judo athletes during a period when they were maintaining their training load without competing. Nine-to-twelve hours postprandial serum lipid and lipoproteins were measured on five occasions: before, three times during Ramadan, and three weeks post-Ramadan. Dietary data were collected using a 24-hour recall method for three days before, during and after the Ramadan month. Mean energy intake (12.9 MJ/d) remained similar throughout the study as did the macronutrient constituents of the diet. Mean body mass was slightly reduced (2 %; p < 0.01) by the end of Ramadan due mainly to a 0.65 ± 0.68 kg decrease in body fat (p < 0.05). The RIF produced significant changes in some of the blood lipid levels: both HDL‐C and LDL‐C increased by 0.12 (p < 0.01) and 0.20 mmol · l-1 (p < 0.05), respectively. During Ramadan, mean non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) levels decreased from 0.73 to 0.28 mmol · l-1 (p < 0.01) during the first week, then increased (p < 0.05) to 1.22 mmol · l-1 over the middle of Ramadan and recovered to pre-Ramadan concentrations for the end and the post-Ramadan periods. Apolipoprotein A1 (Apo-A1) levels were significantly elevated at the end (p < 0.01) and the post-Ramadan periods (p < 0.05). Three weeks after Ramadan, blood levels of glucose, NEFA, Apo-A1, and Apo-B did not return to the values observed before Ramadan. In conclusion, the present results show that the combination of the change in diet pattern during Ramadan, along with intense exercise training, induced a significant decrease in body mass associated with a reduction in body fat and changes in some of the serum lipids and lipoproteins. Nevertheless, all the measured serum parameters remained within normal levels for young and active individuals. The volunteers, in this study, were able to maintain a constant training load during RIF.

References

  • 1 Adlouni A, Ghalim N, Saile R, Had N, Parra H J, Benslimane A. Beneficial effect on serum apo AI, apo B and Lp AI levels of Ramadan fasting.  Clin Chim Acta. 1998;  23 179-189
  • 2 Aksungar F B, Eren A, Ure S, Teskin O, Ates G. Effects of intermittent fasting on serum lipid levels, coagulation status and plasma homocysteine levels.  Ann Nutr Metab. 2005;  49 77-82
  • 3 Al-Hadramy M S, Zawawi T H, Abdelwahab S M. Altered cortisol levels in relation to Ramadan.  Eur J Clin Nut. 1988;  42 359-362
  • 4 Arnold L M, Bal M J, Duncan A W, Mann J. Effect of isoenergetic intake of three or nine meals on plasma lipoproteins and glucose metabolism.  Am J Clin Nutr. 1993;  57 446-451
  • 5 Azizi F. Research in Islamic fasting and health.  Ann Saudi Med. 2002;  22 186-191
  • 6 Beltaifa L, Bouguerra R, Ben Slama C, Jabrane H, El Khadhi A, Ben Rayana M C, Doghri T. Food intake and anthropometrical and biological parameters in adult Tunisians during fasting at Ramadan.  East Mediterr Health J. 2002;  8 603-611
  • 7 Ben Salem L, B'chir F, Bouguerra R, Ben Slama C. Circadian rhythm of cortisol and its responsiveness to ACTH during Ramadan.  Ann Endocrinol (Paris). 2002;  63 497-501
  • 8 Burnett K F, O'Connor P J, Kolty K F, Raglin J S, Morgan W P. Use of three-day food records as estimates of several-day caloric intake during physical training.  Med Exerc Nutr Health. 1994;  3 185-193
  • 9 Coyle E F. Substrate utilisation during exercise in active people.  Am J Clin Nutr. 1995;  61 968S-979S
  • 10 Degoutte F, Jouanel P, Begue R J, Colombier M, Lac G, Pequignot J M, Filaire E. Food restriction, performance, biochemical, psychological, and endocrine changes in judo athletes.  Int J Sports Med. 2006;  27 9-18
  • 11 Degoutte F, Jouanel P, Filaire E. Solicitation of protein metabolism during a judo match and recovery.  Science & Sports. 2004;  191 28-33
  • 12 Deutz R C, Benardot D, Martin D E, Cody M M. Relationship between energy deficits and body composition in elite female gymnasts and runners.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000;  32 659-668
  • 13 Dill D B, Costill D L. Calculation of percentage changes in volumes of blood, plasma, and red cells in dehydration.  J Appl Physiol. 1974;  37 247-248
  • 14 Dohm G L, Beeker R T, Israel B R, Tapscott E B. Metabolic responses to exercise after fasting.  J Appl Physiol. 1986;  61 1363-1368
  • 15 Durnin J VGA, Womersley J. Body fat assessment from total body density and its estimation from skinfold thickness: measurements on 481 men and women aged from 16 to 72 years.  Br J Nutr. 1974;  32 77-92
  • 16 Durstine J L, Grandjean P W, Davis P G, Ferguson M A, Alderson N L, DuBose K D. Blood lipid and lipoprotein adaptations to exercise: a quantitative analysis.  Sports Med. 2001;  31 1033-1062
  • 17 El Ati J, Beji C, Danguir J. Increased fat oxidation during Ramadan fasting in healthy women: an adaptive mechanism for body-weight maintenance.  Am J Clin Nutr. 1995;  62 302-307
  • 18 Filaire E, Maso F, Degoutte F, Jouanel P, Lac G. Food restriction, performance, psychological state and lipid values in judo athletes.  Int J Sports Med. 2001;  22 454-459
  • 19 Finaud J, Degoutte F, Scislowski V, Rouveix M, Durand D, Filaire E. Competition and food restriction effects on oxidative stress in judo.  Int J Sports Med. 2006;  27 834-841
  • 20 Food Standards Agency .McCance and Widdowson's. The Composition of Foods. Cambridge, England; Royal Society of Chemistry 2002
  • 21 Foster C, Florhaug J A, Franklin J, Gottschall L, Hrovatin L A, Parker S, Doleshal P, Dodge C. A new approach to monitoring exercise training.  J Strength Cond Res. 2001;  15 109-115
  • 22 Giada F, Zuliani G, Baldo-Enzi G, Palmieri E, Volpato S, Vitale E, Magnanini P, Colozzi A, Vecchiet L, Felin R. Lipoprotein profile, diet and body composition in athletes practicing mixed and anaerobic activities.  J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 1996;  36 211-216
  • 23 Hallak M H, Nomani M ZA. Body weight loss and changes in blood lipid levels in normal men on hypocaloric diets during Ramadan fasting.  Am J Clin Nutr. 1988;  48 1197-1210
  • 24 Husain R, Duncan M T, Cheah S H, Ch'ng S L. Effects of fasting in Ramadan on tropical Asiatics Moslems.  Br J Nutr. 1987;  58 41-48
  • 25 Impellizzeri F M, Rampinini E, Coutts A J, Sassi A, Marcora S M. Use of RPE-based training load in soccer.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2004;  36 1042-1047
  • 26 Kassab S, Abdul-Ghaffar T, Nagalla D S, Sachdeva U, Nayar U. Interactions between leptin, neuropeptide-Y and insulin with chronic diurnal fasting during Ramadan.  Ann Saudi Med. 2004;  24 345-349
  • 27 Lange K H. Fat metabolism in exercise - with special reference to training and growth hormone administration.  Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2004;  14 74-99
  • 28 Leiper J B, Molla A M, Molla A M. Effects on health of fluid restriction during fasting in Ramadan.  Eur J Clin Nutr. 2003;  57 S30-S38
  • 29 Leon A S, Sanchez O A. Response of blood lipids to exercise training alone or combined with dietary intervention.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2001;  33 S502-S515
  • 30 Lippi G, Schena F, Salvagno G L, Montagnana M, Ballestrieri F, Guidi G C. Comparison of the lipid profile and lipoprotein (a) between sedentary and highly trained subjects.  Clin Chem Lab Med. 2006;  44 322-326
  • 31 Matisson F H, Grundy S M. Comparison of effects of dietary saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids on plasma lipids and lipoproteins in man.  J Lipid Res. 1985;  26 194-202
  • 32 Nomani M ZA, Hallak M H, Siddiqui I P. Effects of Ramadan fasting on plasma uric acid and body weight in healthy men.  J Am Diet Assoc. 1990;  90 1435-1436
  • 33 Nomani M ZA. Dietary fat, blood cholesterol and uric acid levels during Ramadan fasting.  Int J Ramadan Fasting Res. 1997;  1 1-6
  • 34 Peres G. Physiologie de l'exercice musculaire et nutrition du sportif. Brunet-Guedj E, Comtet B, Genety J Abrégé de Médecine du Sport. 6th edn. Paris; Masson 2000
  • 35 Petibois C, Cassaigne A, Gin H, Deleris G. Lipid profile disorders induced by long-term cessation of physical activity in previously highly endurance trained subjects.  J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2004;  89 3377-3384
  • 36 Petridou A, Lazaridou D, Mougios V. Lipidemic profile of athletes and non-athletes with similar body fat.  Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2005;  15 413-420
  • 37 Ramadan J, Telahoum G, Al-Zaid N S, Barac-Nieto M. Responses to exercise, fluid, and energy balances during Ramadan in sedentary and active males.  Nutrition. 1999;  15 735-739
  • 38 Raza H, Qureshi M M, Montague W. Effect of Ramadan fasting on blood chemistry in healthy volunteers.  Emirates Med J. 1994;  12 27-33
  • 39 Roky R, Houti I, Moussamih S, Qotbi S, Aadil N. Physiological and chronobiological changes during Ramadan intermittent fasting.  Ann Nutr Metab. 2004;  48 296-303
  • 40 Samra J S, Clark M L, Humphreys S M, Macdonald I A, Frayn K N. Regulation of lipid metabolism in adipose tissue during early starvation.  Am J Physiol. 1996;  271 E541-E546
  • 41 Sarraf-Zadegan N, Atashi M, Naderi G A, Baghai A M, Asgary S, Fatehifar M R, Samarian H, Zarei M. The effect of fasting in Ramadan on the values and interrelations between biochemical, coagulation and hematological factors.  Ann Saudi Med. 2000;  20 377-381
  • 42 Sävendahl L, Underwood L E. Fasting increases serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B in healthy, nonobese humans.  J Nutr. 1999;  129 2005-2008
  • 43 Young I B, Landsberg L. Human starvation and metabolism.  J Clin Invest. 1980;  65 1086-1094
  • 44 Ziaee V, Razaei M, Ahmadinejad Z, Shaikh H, Yousefi R, Yarmohammadi L, Bozorgi F, Behjati M J. The changes of metabolic profile and weight during Ramadan fasting.  Singapore Med J. 2006;  47 409-414

Dr. Anis Chaouachi

Research Unit “Evaluation, Sport, Santé”
National Center of Medicine and Science in Sports (CNMSS)

Ave Med Ali Akid, El Menzah BP 263

1004 Tunis

Tunisia

Phone: + 21 6 21 17 69 40

Fax: + 21 6 71 70 97 89

Email: anis.chaouachi@email.ati.tn