The effect of a physical exercise program combined with a calorie deficit during Ramadan fasting on some components of body composition, weight, and body mass index

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of a physical exercise program combined with a dietary caloric deficit during the month of Ramadan on selected body composition components, as well as to analyze the relationship between daily caloric deficit and changes in these components. The study monitored changes in body weight, body mass index (BMI), fat mass, visceral fat, skeletal muscle mass, and body water throughout the intervention period.

The results revealed a reduction of approximately 7% in both body weight and BMI. Fat mass decreased from 23.1 kg to 19.5 kg, representing a 16% reduction, while visceral fat decreased by 17%, indicating a marked improvement in body composition and a reduction in health risks associated with excess fat accumulation. In contrast, skeletal muscle mass showed only a slight decrease of 3%, reflecting the program's relative effectiveness in preserving muscle mass despite the presence of a caloric deficit during the fasting period. Body water also decreased by 5%, likely due to changes in hydration status and glycogen stores.

Pearson correlation analysis revealed no statistically significant relationships between daily caloric deficit and body composition variables, with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.064 to 0.104. However, a clear temporal trend toward improvement in these variables was observed throughout the study period. This finding suggests that changes in body composition may be attributed to cumulative effects and metabolic adaptations that develop over time rather than to daily fluctuations in caloric deficit.

The study concludes that a physical exercise program combined with a dietary caloric deficit during Ramadan contributed to improvements in body composition, particularly through reductions in total and visceral fat while relatively preserving skeletal muscle mass.