Work

A case study on the impact of Ramadan on biomechanical and physiological markers in a female collegiate student-athlete

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This case study investigates the impact of Ramadan, a month of fasting and prayer, on a single female Division I collegiate athlete leveraging wearable technologies, Beyond Pulse and Whoop 4.0, and subjective questionnaires to collectively monitor biomechanical, physiological, and psychological changes before, during, and after Ramadan. Beyond Pulse monitors performance metrics, including distance, speed, and heart rate (HR), while the Whoop 4.0 focuses on physiological data such as HR, heart rate variability (HRV), sleep quality (including sleep duration and debt), and exertion metrics like strain and recovery. Subjective measures, including rating of perceived exertion (RPE), stress, and energy levels, were recorded daily to monitor load-response following training. Analyses revealed a 14.6% reduction in sleep performance during Ramadan and persisting post-Ramadan. Stress, muscle soreness, and energy all changed during Ramadan (p = 2.00 × 10−6; p = 0.001; p = 0.0058, respectively), with stress remaining elevated post-Ramadan (p = 0.028), likely driven by exams and disrupted circadian rhythm. Team-level analysis shows declines in distance during Ramadan (p = 9.00 × 10−4) and rebound afterward (p = 3.00 × 10−5), alongside shifts in workload (p = 0.024) and training impulse (TRIMP, p = 0.014), offering a baseline to distinguish from periodization of training and effects of Ramadan. These results illustrate how Ramadan combined with academic demands substantially effects both physiological and psychological well-being in a Division 1 female athlete. This case study, to our knowledge, is the first to use wearable technology and subjective measures to track Ramadan-related changes in a division 1 collegiate female athlete, offering insights into holistic monitoring.

Source: Frontiers in Sports and Active Living

DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2025.1576424

Authors: Joseph Amitrano, Tariq Ameer, Gina Lewandowski, Lauren Calabrese, Dhruv R. Seshadri

Institution: Lehigh University

Language: English

Topic: Sports Performance and Training

Subfield: Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,353