Activity Patterns, Body Composition and Muscle Function during Ramadan in a Middle-East Muslim Country

This study investigated the effects of Ramadan on activity patterns, body composition and muscle function. 11 moderately active Muslim males were screened 1 month and 1 week before, in the last week of, and 1 month after Ramadan. Activity patterns were assessed during 72 h using a tri-axial accelerometer, body composition was evaluated via bio-electrical impedance and muscle function during maximal isometric contractions with EMG recordings. Data showed a modification of the activity pattern during Ramadan with a higher level of activity from 02: 00 to 05: 00 h (29 +/- 26, 364 +/- 323 and 27 +/- 22 steps.h(-1) before, during and after Ramadan, respectively, P < 0.05). However, total daily energy expenditure was similar during all testing periods (506 +/- 156, 542 +/- 219 and 545 +/- 207 Kcal.day(-1), respectively), partly explaining the lack of influence of Ramadan on body mass (70.9 +/- 11, 70.0 +/- 9 and 70.8 +/- 9 Kg, respectively) and composition (all P > 0.05). Maximal force, associated electrical activity and neuromuscular efficiency (torque/EMG ratio) were maintained during Ramadan (torque: 254.6 +/- 30 N.m(-1), Neuromuscular efficiency: 1.0 +/- 0.4 a.u.) to levels observed before (244.3 +/- 26 N.m, 1.1 +/- 0.5 a.u.) and after the holy month (252.5 +/- 31 N.m, 1.1 +/- 0.5 a.u.). In summary, our data suggest that the influence of Ramadan should be considered as a modification in the distribution of activity times during the day.