Abida Shaheen, Fahad Azam, Afrose Liaquat, Khurram Irshad, Hania Ahmer, Hania Naveed.
Effect of ramadan fasting on post-exercise heart rate recovery at two minutes and body composition in healthy male adults.
Pak J Physiol Jan ;18(2):10-4.

Background: The effects of Ramadan fasting on weight loss are well-known but its effects on heart rate recovery after 2 minutes (HRR2) have not been investigated. The present study aims to observe the effects of Ramadan fasting on body composition variables and post-exercise heart rate recovery after two minutes of rest. Methods: A prospective, observational study was conducted from April 2019 to July 2020. Sixty-four healthy male participants aged 26 to 53 years were enrolled on the first day of fasting in Islamic month of Ramadan and were followed up for two weeks. Baseline anthropometric measurements and body composition measurements were recorded on day 1 of Ramadan in a fasting state. Peak heart rate and heart rate recovery were recorded immediately after exercise and after two minutes of rest. Blood pressure was also recorded after cessation of exercise. After fourteen days of fasting, anthropometric measurements and aforementioned readings with repeat exercise protocol were recorded. Results: Mean BMI, waist circumference and body fat ratio of the study participants reduced significantly after fourteen days of Ramadan fasting. The resting heart rate of the study participants was significantly reduced from 74.5±9.7 to 68.4±10.7 bpm (p<0.001). HRR2 of rest significantly increased from 22.9±11.7 to 30.3±13.7 bpm (p=0.001). None of the smokers showed an improvement in heart rate recovery after two minutes of rest. Conclusion:  Ramadan fasting resulted in significant improvement in body fat ratio,  BMI, waist circumference and heart rate recovery after two minutes of rest in healthy adult males.

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