The effects of a combined recovery strategy during a match-congested period crossing Ramadan: a repeated measurements crossover study among professional male basketball players

Background: A good recovery process is a key factor to avoid fatigue and sports-related injuries in Muslim male basketball players, especially during some decisive phases of the sport season, such as the match congestion period coinciding with Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF). The aim of the current research was to evaluate the effects of a combined recovery strategy involving 45-minute daytime napping and cold-water immersion during a basketball match congestion period coinciding with RIF on hormonal variations, perceived exertion (RPE), total quality of recovery (TQR) and wellbeing indices. Methods: The present study used a repeated measurements crossover design, and three male professional basketball teams were chosen, totaling 42 players. The first team used combined recovery (COMB, n = 14), the second team had a 45-minute napping (NAP, n = 14), and the third team served as the active control group (CON, n = 14). High adherence rates were observed across groups. Participants were evaluated through the initial and final weeks of the RIF for changes in testosterone (T), cortisol (C), RPE, TQR, and wellbeing indices (sleep, tiredness, stress and delayed onset of muscular soreness (DOMS)) as primary objectives. Secondary outcomes from the investigation were dietary intake, body composition and sleep quality. Results: The main results showed a significant decline in T/C ratio among the three groups at the conclusion of the trial (p < 0.001 with trivial effect size). Moreover, COMB had significantly better outcomes in RPE, TQR and DOMS compared to NAP and CON (p < 0.001 with a (trivial/small) effect size). Conclusions: This analysis revealed that the implemented combined recovery strategy may serve as a valuable recovery approach for athletes undergoing congestion game periods crossing the RIF.