Intermittent Fasting and Its Effects on Athletic Performance: A Review

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Nutritional Science
• Human Physiology

Background:

• Intermittent fasting (IFast) has historical roots and is experiencing a resurgence in public interest.
• Nutrition is critical for optimizing athletic performance, raising questions about IFast's impact on athletes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current scientific understanding of intermittent fasting's effects on athletic performance.
• To synthesize findings regarding IFast protocols and their implications for athletes across different disciplines.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies examining intermittent fasting and athletic performance.
• Analysis of research focusing on high-intensity, endurance, and resistance exercises in fasting athletes, including those observing Ramadan.

Main Results:

• Existing studies indicate no performance enhancement from intermittent fasting (IFast) in athletes.
• Research findings are varied but consistently show a lack of benefit for athletic performance during fasting periods.

Conclusions:

• Current evidence does not support intermittent fasting (IFast) as a method to improve athletic performance.
• Further long-term research is required to understand the effects of specific IFast protocols on sports performance.