Effects of a Culturally Adapted Sleep Hygiene Intervention on Sleep, Vigilance, and Physical Performance During Ramadan in Male Sports Science Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Ramadan fasting often disrupts sleep patterns, which can affect alertness and physical performance in student-athletes. This study tested whether a brief sleep education program designed for Ramadan could help improve sleep quality and maintain performance.

Sixty-four male sport-science students who planned to fast during Ramadan were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The first group received a 45-minute educational session about sleep hygiene specifically adapted to Ramadan practices (timing of sleep around evening and pre-dawn meals, managing light exposure, limiting caffeine and screen time before bed). They also received weekly text message reminders and completed short weekly checklists about their sleep habits. The second group continued their usual routines without any intervention.

Participants wore activity monitors on their wrist to track sleep throughout the study. They also completed computerized tests of attention and reaction time, as well as physical performance tests (jumping, handgrip strength, agility) before Ramadan and during the final week of fasting.

The researchers found that students who received the sleep education maintained better sleep duration and quality during Ramadan compared to those who did not receive the program. They also showed better attention, faster reaction times, and better preservation of physical performance. This suggests that simple, culturally-adapted sleep education can help student-athletes maintain their health and performance during Ramadan.