1.
Repeated-sprint training in the fasted state during Ramadan: morning or evening training?
Aloui, A, Driss, T, Baklouti, H, Jaafar, H, Hammouda, O, Chamari, K, Souissi, N
The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness. 2018;(7-8):990-997
Abstract
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.
2.
Carbohydrate ingestion and soccer skill performance during prolonged intermittent exercise.
Ali, A, Williams, C
Journal of sports sciences. 2009;(14):1499-508
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ingesting a carbohydrate-electrolyte solution, during the 90-min Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test, on soccer skill performance. Seventeen male soccer players ingested either a 6.4% carbohydrate-electrolyte solution or placebo solution equivalent to 8 ml . kg(-1) body mass before exercise and 3 ml . kg(-1) body mass after every 15 min of exercise, in a double-blind randomized cross-over design, with the trials separated by 7 days. The evening before the main trial, the participants performed glycogen-reducing exercise on a cycle ergometer (80 min at 70%[Vdot]O(2max)) and were then fed a low-carbohydrate meal. After a 12-h overnight fast, they performed The Loughborough Soccer Passing Test before and after every 15 min of exercise. Analysis of the combined skill test data showed a significant time effect (P = 0.001) with differences between 0-45 and 75-90 min (P < 0.05). There was a 3% reduction in skill performance from before to after exercise in the carbohydrate-electrolyte trial, whereas in the placebo trial the decrease was 14% (P = 0.07). In conclusion, skill performance during the simulated soccer activity appeared to deteriorate in the last 15-30 min of exercise. However, providing 52 g . h(-1) carbohydrate during exercise showed a tendency to better maintain soccer skill performance than a taste-matched placebo.