1. Introduction
PD
The aim of this investigation was to determine whether, after Ramadan, pre-exercise caffeine intake can reduce any possible negative effects of this month on short-term maximal performances in young female handball players. A randomized study involved thirteen young female handball players. Participants performed a squat jump (SJ), Illinois agility test (AG), and 5 m run shuttles test (total (TD) and peak (PD) distances) at 08:00 AM and 06:00 PM on three different occasions: one week before Ramadan (Pre-R), the last week of Ramadan (R), and the week after Ramadan (Post-R). A placebo (Pla) or caffeine (Caff) (6 mg·kgFasting is advocated in almost all religions [Evidence from this month’s modifications has incited numerous researchers to examine the impact of Ramadan fasting on athletes’ physical performance, though the findings remain equivocal. In this context, previous studies have reported impairments of high-intensity short-term maximal physical performances for both male and female athletes during jump trials [Although it is known that poor sleep quality and duration can negatively affect mood and cognitive performance [Thus, the purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of pre-exercise caffeine ingestion immediately following Ramadan month (during the week Post-Ramadan) on short-term high-intensity performances in adolescent female handball players at various times of the day (morning and evening). Considering the published data, we hypothesized that caffeine intake can improve the short-term high-intensity performances of young female handball players during this period, with greater enhancement during the morning.