22 Jul 2014
Muslims will cope with Ramadan at Commonwealth Games, says Loughborough expert
Observing Ramadan will not affect the performances of Muslim athletes at the Commonwealth Games, according to research by a Loughborough University academic.
Many athletes from 52 Muslim countries will fast from sunrise to sunset on six of the 11 days of the Glasgow event which runs from Wednesday, July 23 to Sunday, August 3.
They will also fast during the build-up because the Holy month started on June 27 and finishes on July 28.
But, according to Professor Ron Maughan, top level athletes can maintain performance if their training, food and fluid intake, and sleep are appropriate and well controlled.
That was the main finding of the research conducted by the Emeritus Professor of Sport and Exercise Nutrition and three other academics in a study supported by FIFA in 2012.
Professor Maughan, from the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, said: “Muslim athletes competing at the Games will have thought through the issues.
“Some will choose to fast, while others may delay fasting until after the Games are over or may choose not to fast on days when they are competing.
“These days can be made up later. Those choosing to fast will have experienced Ramadan before and will know what works best for them.”
Read the full press release.