Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of Ramadan fasting on postural balance and attentional capacities in elderly people

  • Published:
The journal of nutrition, health & aging

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the effects of Ramadan fasting on postural balance and attentional capacities in older adults.

Setting

the Neurophysiology department of a University Hospital.

Participants

Fifteen males aged between 65 and 80 years were asked to perform a postural balance protocol and a simple reaction time (SRT) test in four testing phases: one week before Ramadan (BR), during the second (SWR) and the fourth week of Ramadan (FWR) and 3 weeks after Ramadan (AR).

Measurements

Postural balance measurements were recorded in the bipedal stance in four different conditions: firm surface/eyes open (EO), firm surface/eyes closed (EC), foam surface/EO and foam surface/EC using a force platform.

Results

Results of the present study demonstrated that center of pressure (CoP) mean velocity (CoPVm), medio-lateral length (CoPLX) and antero-posterior length (CoPLY) were significantly higher during the SWR than BR. Likewise, values of CoPVm and CoPLX increased significantly during the FWR compared to BR. The CoPLX decreased significantly in the FWR compared to the SWR. Values of CoPVm and CoPLX were significantly higher AR in comparison with BR. In addition, SRT values increased significantly during the SWR and the FWR than BR.

Conclusion

Ramadan fasting affects postural balance and attentional capacities in the elderly mainly in the SWR and it may, therefore, increase the risk of fall and fall-related injuries. More than three weeks are needed for older adults to recover postural balance impairment due to Ramadan fasting.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1
Table 1
Table 2
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Vivanti A, Harvey K, Ash S. Developing a quick and practical screen to improve the identification of poor hydration in geriatric and rehabilitative care. Arch Gerontol Geriatr 2010;50:156–64

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Lajoie Y, Gallagher SP. Predicting falls within the elderly community: comparison of postural sway, reaction time, the Berg balance scale and the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale for comparing fallers and non-fallers. Arch Gerontol Geriatr 2004;38:11–26

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Gschwind YJ, Kressing RW, Lacroix A, Muehlbauer T, Pfenninger B, Granacher U. A best practice fall prevention exercise program to improve balance, strength / power, and psychosocial health in older adults: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. BMC Geriatr 2013;13:105

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  4. Tsai YC, Hsieh LF, Yang S. Age-related changes in posture response under a continuous and unexpected perturbation. J Biomech 2014;47:482–90

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Inzitari M, Baldereschi M, Di Carlo A, Di Bari M, Marchionni N, Scafato E. Impaired attention predicts motor performance decline in older community-dwellers with normal baseline mobility: results from the Italian Longitudinal Study on Aging (ILSA). J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2007; 62:837–843

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Maki BE, Cheng KC, Mansfield A, Scovil CY, Perry SD, Peters AL et al. Preventing falls in older adults: new interventions to promote more effective change-in-support balance reactions. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2008;18:243–254

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Jette AM, Branch LG, Berlin J. Musculoskeletal impairments and physical disablement among the aged. J Gerontol 1990;45:M203–8

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Whipple RH, Wolfson LI, Amerman PM. The relationship of knee and ankle weakness to falls in nursing home residents: an isokinetic study. J Am Geriatr Soc 1987;35:13–20

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Tinetti ME, Baker DI, McAvay G. A multifactorial intervention to reduce the risk of falling among elderly people living in the community. N Engl J Med 1994;331:821–827

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Tinetti ME, Speechley M, Ginter SF. Risk factors for falls among elderly persons living in the community. N Eng J Med 1988;319:1701–1707

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Müjdeci B, Aksoy A, Atas A. Evaluation of balance in fallers and non-fallers elderly. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol 2012;78:104–109

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Hsu W, Chou LS, Woollacott M. Age-related changes in joint coordination during balance recovery. Age (Dordr) 2013;35:1299–1309

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Al Wakeel J, Mitwalli AH, Alsuwaida A, Al Ghonaim M, Usama S, Hayat A, Shah IH. Recommendations for fasting Ramadan for patients on peritoneal dialysis. Perit Dial Inter 2013;33:86–91

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Herrera Christopher P, Berrichi H, Chamari K, Davenne D. Circadian Rhythm and Sleep Disturbances during Ramadan: Implications on Sports Performance. In Chtourou H (ed) Effects of Ramadan Fasting on Health and Athletic Performance, USA, CA 94404, 2013

    Google Scholar 

  15. Roky R L, Iraki R, HajKhlifa N, Lakhdar Ghazal N, Hakkou F. Daytime alertness, mood, psychomotor performances and oral temperature during Ramadan intermittent fasting. Ann Nutr Metab 2000;44:101–107

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Bogdan A, Bouchareb B, Touitou Y. Ramadan fasting alters endocrine and neuroendocrine circadian patterns. Meal-time as a synchronizer in humans? Life Sci 2001;68:1607–1615

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Waterhouse J. Effects of Ramadan on physical performance: chronobiological considerations. Br J Sports Med 2010;44:509–515

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Roky R, Chapotot F, Hakkouk F, Benchekroun MT, Buguet A. Sleep during Ramadan intermittent fasting. J Sleep Res 2001;10:319–327

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Roky R, Chapotot F, Benchekroun MT, Benaji B, Hakkou F, Elkhalifi H, Buquet A. Daytime sleepiness during Ramadan intermittent fasting: polysomnographic and quantitative waking EEG study. J Sleep Res 2003;12:95–101

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Hakkou F, Tazi A, Iraki L. Ramadan Health and chronobiology. Chronobiol Int 1994;11: 340–2

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. El Moutawakil B, Hassounr S, Sibai M, Rafai MA, Fabrigoule C, Slassi I. Impact du jeûn du Ramadan sur les fonctions attentionnelles. Revue Neurologique 2007;163:60

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Morad Y, Azaria B, Avni I, Barkana Y, Zadok D, Kohen-Raz R, Barenboim E. Posturography as an indicator of fatigue due to sleep deprivation. Aviat Space Environ Med 2007;78:859–863

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Liu Y, Higuchi S, Motohashi Y. Changes in postural sway during a period of sustained wakefulness in male adults. Occup Med 2001;51:490–495

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Nakano T, Araki K, Michimori A, Inbe H, Hagiwara H, Koyama E. Nineteen-hour variation of postural sway, alertness and rectal temperature during sleep deprivation. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2001;55:277–8

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Schlesinger A, Redfern MS, Dahl RE, Jennings JR. Postural control, attention and sleep deprivation. Neuroreport 1998;9:49–52

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Smith SS, Cheng T, Kerr GK. The effect of extended wake on postural control in young adults. Exp Brain Res 2012;221:329–335

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Patel M, Gomez S, Berg S Almbladh P, Lindblad J, Petersen H. Effects of 24-h and 36-h sleep deprivation on human postural control and adaptation. Exp Brain Res 2008;185:165–173

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Robillard R, Prince F, Filipini D, Carrier J. Aging Worsens the Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Postural Control. PLoS One 2011;6:e28731

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Woollacott M, Shumway-Cook A. Attention and the control of posture and gait: a review of an emerging area of research. Gait Posture 2002;16:1–14

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Heuninckx S, Wenderoth N, Debaere F, Peeters R, Swinnen SP. Neural basis of aging: the penetration of cognition into action control. J Neurosci 2005;25:6787–6796

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Wu T, Hallett M. The influence of normal human ageing on automatic movements. J Physiol 2005;562:605–615

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  32. Mirelman A, Herman T, Brozgol M et al. Executive function and falls in older adults: new findings from a five-year prospective study link fall risk to cognition. PLoS One.2012;7:e40297

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  33. Souissi N, Chtourou H, Zouita A, Dziri C, Souissi N. Effects of Ramadan intermittent fasting on postural control in judo athletes. Biol Rhythm Res 2013, a;44:237–244

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Souissi N, Zouita A, Chtourou H, Ferchichi H, Dziri C, Abedelmalek S, Souissi N. The effect of Ramadan intermittent fasting on dynamic postural control in judo athletes. Biol Rhythm Res 2013, b; 45:27–36

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Schuit AJ. Physical activity, body composition and healthy ageing. Science & Sports 2006;21:209–213

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Lord S R., Rogers MW, Howland A, Fitzpatrick R. Lateral stability, sensorimotor function and falls in older people. J Am Geriatr Soc 1999;47:1077–1081

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Viswanathan A and Sudarsky L. Balance and gait problems in the elderly. Handb Clin Neurol 2012;103:623–34

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Reilly T, Waterhouse J. Altered sleep-wake cycles and food intake: the Ramadan model. Physiol Behav 2007;90:219–228

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Gomez S, Patel M, Berg S, Magnusson M, Johansson R, Fransson PA. Effects of proprioceptive vibratory stimulation on body movement at 24 and 36 h of sleep deprivation. Clin Neurophysiol 2008;119:617–625

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Avni N, Avni I, Barenboim E, Azaria B, Zadok D, Kohen-Raz R, Morad Y. Brief posturographic test as an indicator of fatigue. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2006;60:340–346

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Kato M, Phillips BG, Sigurdsson G, Narkiewicz K, Pesek CA, Somers VK. Effects of sleep deprivation on neural circulatory control. Hypertension 2000;35:1173–5

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Lagarde D, Btejat D, Boussif M, Pradellas S, Girault S, Huppe M. Ramadan et vigilance. Médecine aéronautique et spatiale 1996;35:175–182

    Google Scholar 

  43. Bouhlel H, Latiri I, Zarrrouk N, Bigard X, Shephard R, Tabka Z, Bouhlel E. Effect of Ramadan observance and maximal exercise on simple and choice reaction times in trained men. Sience & sport 2014;29:131–137

    Google Scholar 

  44. Leigh Gibson E, Green MW. Nutritional influences on cognitive function: mechanisms of susceptibility. Nutr Res Rev 2002;155:169–206

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Lieberman HR, Bathalon GP, Falco CM, Kramer FM, Morgan CA 3rd, Niro P. Severe decrements in cognition function and mood induced by sleep loss, heat, dehydration, and undernutrition during simulated combat. Biol Psychiatry 2005;57:422–429

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Bahammam AS, Alaseem AM, Alzakri AA, Sharif MM. The effects of Ramadan fasting on sleep patterns and daytime sleepiness: An objective assessment. J Res Med Sci 2013;18:127–131

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  47. Suhr JA, Hall J, Patterson SM, Niinisto RT. The relation of hydration status to cognitive performance in healthy older adults. Int J Psychophysiol 2004;53:121–125

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Jamet M, Deviterne D, Gauchard GC, Vançon G, Perrin PP. Higher visual dependency increases balance control perturbation during cognitive task fulfillment in elderly people. Neurosci Lett 2004;359:61–64

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Redfern MS, Jennings JR, Martin C, Furman JM. Attention influences sensory integration for postural control in older adults. Gait Posture 2001;14:211–216

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Mulder T, Zijlstra W, Geurts A. Assessment of motor recovery and decline. Gait Posture 2002;16:198–210

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Zantar A, Azzoug S, Belhimer F, Chentli F. Diabète et Ramadan. Presse Med 2012;41:1084–1088.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Chennaoui M, Desgorces F, Drogou C, Boudjemaa B, Tomaszewski A, Depiesse F, Burnat P, Chalabi H, Gomez-Merino D. Effects of Ramadan fasting on physical performance and metabolic, hormonal, and inflammatory parameters in middledistance runners. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2009;34:587–594

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Canavan AGM, Bayer N, Lutzenberger W. The decline of spatial and temporal abilities with age. In: Stelmach GE, Homberg V (ed) Sensorimotor Impairment in the Elderly. Dordrecht, Kluwer 1993;57–72

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  54. Goble DJ, Coxon JP, VanImpe A, Geurts M, Doumas M, Wenderoth N, Swinnen SP. Brain activity during ankle proprioceptive stimulation predicts balance performance in young and older adults. J Neurosci 2011;31:16344–16352.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Qiu F, Cole MH, Davids KW, Hennig EM, Silburn PA, Netscher H, Kerr GK. Enhanced somatosensory information decreases postural sway in older people. Gait Posture 2012;35:630–635

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Goble DJ, Coxon JP, Wenderoth N, Van Impe A, Swinnen SP. Proprioceptive sensibility in the elderly: degeneration, functional consequences and plastic-adaptive processes. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2009;33:271–278

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Lord SR, Clark RD, Webster IW. Postural stability and associated physiological factors in a population of aged persons. J Gerontol 1991;46:M69–76

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Teasdale N, Stelmach GE, Breuing. A Postural sway characteristics of the elderly under normal and altered visual and support surface conditions. J Gerontol 1991;46:B238–244

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Woollacott MH, Shumway-Cook A, Nashner LM. Aging and posture control: changes in sensory organization in muscular coordination. Int J Aging Hum Dev 1986;23:97–114

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Patel M, Fransson P, Johansson R, Magnusson M. Foam posturography: standing on foam is not equivalent to standing with decreased rapidly adapting mechanoreceptive sensation. Exp Brain Res 2011;208:519–527

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Matheson AJ, Darlington CL, Smith PF. Further evidence for age-related deficits in human postural function. J Vestib Res 1999;9:261–4

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Berg WP, Alessio HM, Mills EM, Tong C. Circumstances and consequences of falls in independent community-dwelling older adults. Age Ageing 1997;26:261–268

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Unit, Education, Motor Skills, Sport and Health, High Institute of Sport and Physical Education, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia

    Rabeb Laatar, R. Borji, R. Baccouch, F. Zahaf, H. Rebai & S. Sahli

  2. Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, University of Carthage, Carthage, Tunisia

    R. Baccouch

Authors
  1. Rabeb Laatar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. R. Borji
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. R. Baccouch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. F. Zahaf
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. H. Rebai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. S. Sahli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rabeb Laatar.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Laatar, R., Borji, R., Baccouch, R. et al. Effects of Ramadan fasting on postural balance and attentional capacities in elderly people. J Nutr Health Aging 20, 553–560 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-015-0620-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-015-0620-y

Key words

Search

Navigation