Intermittent Fasting and Its Effects on Athletic Performance: A Review

Curr Sports Med Rep. 2019 Jul;18(7):266-269. doi: 10.1249/JSR.0000000000000614.

Abstract

Intermittent fasting (IFast) has been around for most of human history, and its proposed health benefits have been mentioned in ancient civilizations. However, recently, there has been a renewed public interest in IFast. Given the importance of nutrition in optimizing athletic performance, there is a concern about the effects of IFast on athletics. Most of the studies looking at performance and fasting are regarding athletes who observe Ramadan. Looking at high-intensity, endurance, and resistance exercises, studies have been varied but are uniform in showing that there is no benefit to athletic performance while fasting. More long-term studies need to be done to evaluate specific fasting protocols during sport.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Athletes
  • Athletic Performance / physiology*
  • Endurance Training
  • Fasting*
  • High-Intensity Interval Training
  • Humans
  • Resistance Training