Repeated-sprint training in the fasted state during Ramadan: morning or evening training?

BACKGROUND: The present study assessed the optimal moment of the day for repeated-sprint training in the fasted state during Ramadan.

METHODS: Thirty amateur soccer players were randomly assigned to a morning training group (MTG, training at ~08:00 a.m., N.=10), an evening training group (ETG, training around 06:00 p.m., N.=10), and a control group (N.=10). Training sessions, conducted on alternate days, consisted of 3 sets of 6×40-m shuttle sprints (2×20 m with 180° direction changes). A 20-second passive recovery and a 4-minute passive recovery were allowed between repetitions and sets, respectively. Before and after Ramadan, performance was assessed at both 08:00 a.m. and 06:00 p.m. by Countermovement Jump (CMJ), Repeated-Sprint Test (RST), and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (YYIRT1).

RESULTS: After Ramadan, YYIRT1 performances were enhanced for both groups in the morning (7.82% and 6.29% for MTG and ETG, respectively, P<0.05), and in the evening (6.61% and 11.20%, respectively, P<0.05). Relative changes in YYIRT1 (P=0.33) and RST (-2.13% and -3.44% for MTG and ETG, respectively, P=0.49) at the specific time of training were similar for both groups. No differences were observed in CMJ performances before and after Ramadan for any group (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Morning or evening repeated-sprint training conducted in the fasted state during Ramadan enhanced soccer-specific endurance similarly.