Comprendre le jeûne du Ramadan et ses contraintes sur les athlètes: présentation générale

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Ramadan fasting, one of the five pillars of Islam, requires Muslims to abstain from food and drink from dawn to sunset for 29 to 30 days. This ritual, which shifts annually within the Gregorian calendar, presents specific challenges, particularly for Muslim athletes. METHODS: In this introductory article to the special issue "Ramadan and Sport", we focus on Muslim athletes who must reconcile the demands of their faith with those of their sport, which can lead to physiological and psychological constraints, especially during international competitions. RESULTS: While training and competition schedules are often adjusted in predominantly Muslim countries, athletes in minority Muslim countries, such as France, may not receive the same institutional support. This could influence their mental well-being and performance. CONCLUSION: This literature review, aimed at introducing the special issue "Ramadan and Sport", highlights the importance of personalized support for Muslim athletes during Ramadan and calls for a better understanding of the challenges associated with fasting in high-level sports. We emphasize the need for training coaches and medical staff to support athletes in their religious practices while safeguarding their health and performance.