Does Ramadan Observance Affect Cardiorespiratory Capacity of Healthy Boys?

Studies raising the issue of the effects of Ramadan observance (RO) on boys’ 6-min walk test (6MWT) data are rare. The studies, which did not include control groups of non-fasters, presented contradictory results. This study aimed to compare the 6MWT data (6-min walk distance [6MWD; m, %predicted], heart rate [HR; bpm, % of maximal predicted HR]), oxy-hemoglobin saturation (Oxy-sat; %), systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP and DBP, respectively; mmHg) determined at rest ((Rest) and at the end (End) of the test) of a group of 22 healthy fasting boys (age: 12 to 15 years) with an age-matched non-fasting group (n = 10). The 6MWTs were performed during three experimental conditions (ECs): Pre-Ramadan, Mid-Ramadan, and Post-Ramadan. The two groups’ 6MWT data for each EC were compared, and repeated factorial analysis of variance (2 groups vs. 3 ECs) was performed. Both groups had similar values of 6MWD (m, %predicted), HR(Rest) or HR(End) (bpm, % of maximal predicted HR), Oxy-sat(Rest), Oxy-sat(End), SBP(Rest), and DBP(Rest) during the three ECs. Compared to the non-fasting group, the fasting group had significantly higher SBP(End) (121 ± 10 vs. 130 ± 11) and DBP(End) (72 ± 6 vs. 78 ± 7) determined during the Mid-Ramadan EC. No significant interactive effects of the groups (2) vs. ECs (3) was found for the 6MWD (%predicted; p = .809), HR(Rest) (%, p = .555), HR(End) (%, p = .964), Oxy-sat(Rest) (p = .336), Oxy-sat(End) (p = .389), SBP(Rest) (p = .708), SBP(End) (p = .548), DBP(Rest) (p = .277), and DBP(End) (p = .096). To conclude, in boys, RO does not impact the 6MWD, HR, or Oxy-sat, but it has minimal impact on the SBP(End) and DBP(End).