The effect of endurance training accompanied by Ramadan fasting on lipid profiles and body composition in men

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of endurance training accompanied by fasting on lipid profiles and body composition in men. Twenty-six healthy male volunteer subjects participated in the study and were divided into fasting (F) and Endurance Training+ Fasting (ET+F) groups. ET+F group exercised 3 times per week on treadmill during Ramadan month while F group had fasting for one month. Anthropometric characteristics and blood sampling were collected in the morning after a 12-h overnight fast at before Ramadan, the end of Ramadan and 2 weeks after Ramadan. At the end of Ramadan, body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR) and body fat percent significantly reduced in both indices. In comparison with F group, BMI, body fat percent, triglyceride (TG) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) significantly decreased in ET+F at the end of Ramadan (P<0.05). Endurance training accompanied by fasting improved lipid profiles, body composition and prevented the rise of TG and VLDL.