Introduction: Characteristics of Fasting Learning Objectives Total Fasting and Dietary Restrictions Intermittent Fasting during Ramadan Fasting in the Greek Orthodox Church Daniel Fasting Focus of the Present Text Conclusions Key Terms Questions for Discussion References Further Reading Changes of Body Mass and Energy Balance during Fasting and Dietary Restriction Learning Objectives Introduction Energy Balance Body Stores of Energy and Fluids Issue of Metabolic Ketosis Severe Food Deprivation Prolonged Moderate Food Restriction Vegan-Type Dietary Restrictions Restrictions of Fluid Intake Intermittent (Ramadan) Fasting Total Fasting Dietary Guidelines Other Practical Implications Conclusions Key Terms Questions for Discussion References Further Reading Carbohydrate Metabolism and Fasting Learning Objectives Nature of Carbohydrates and Normal Daily Requirements Hormonal Mechanisms Regulating Anabolic and Catabolic Activities Effects of Exercise Intensity and Duration on Carbohydrate Oxidation Impact of Carbohydrate Supplements upon Physical Performance Effect of Fasting and/or Dietary Restrictions on Carbohydrate Metabolism Impact of Ramadan Observance on Carbohydrate Intake and Blood Glucose Implications for Athletic Performance Conclusions Key Terms Questions for Discussion References Further Reading Mobilization and Utilization of Lipids during Dietary Restriction Conditions Learning Objectives Fat Metabolism under Non-Fasting Conditions General Effects of Fasting upon Fat Metabolism Practical Applications Areas Requiring Further Research Conclusions Key Terms Questions for Discussion References Further Reading Protein Metabolism during Dietary Restriction Learning Objectives Normal Protein Needs of the Body Mechanisms Regulating Anabolic and Catabolic Activity Dietary Restrictions, Protein Intake and Catabolism Changes in Body Composition with Dietary Restriction Practical Implications Conclusions Key Terms Questions for Discussion References Further Reading Hydration and Fluid Restriction in Athletes Learning Objectives Introduction Normal Regulation of Fluid Balance in Human Subjects Methods of Assessing Dehydration Effects of Water Deprivation Effects of Repeated Moderate Fluid Restriction in Sedentary Individuals Effects of Intermittent Fluid Restriction in Athletes Practical Implications for the Muslim Athlete Other Patterns of Fluid Depletion in Athletes Conclusions Key Terms Questions for Discussion References Further Reading Changes in Hormone Levels and Circadian Rhythms during Fasting Learning Objectives Introduction Hormonal Adaptations to Exercise and Training Metabolic and Hormonal Responses to Fasting Hormonal Responses to the Intermittent Fasting of Ramadan Changes in Exercise Hormonal Responses during Ramadan Observance Ramadan Observance, Sleep Patterns and Circadian Rhythms Practical Implications Conclusions Key Terms Questions for Discussion References Further Reading Oxidative Stress and Fasting Learning Objectives Introduction Training and the Balance between Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Defenses Dietary Modifications and Oxidative Stress Oxidative Stress and Ramadan Intermittent Fasting Dietary Restriction in Patients with Clinical Conditions Dietary Restrictions and Oxidant Stress in Laboratory Animals Practical Implications for Athletes Conclusions Key Terms Questions for Discussion References Further Reading Effects of Dietary and Fluid Restrictions upon Physical Performance, Cognition and Vigilance Learning Objectives Introduction Anaerobic Performance Aerobic Performance Muscular Strength and Endurance Psychomotor Performance Areas Requiring Further Research Practical Applications Conclusions Key Terms Questions for Discussion References Further Reading Nutritional Recommendations for Dietary Restriction Learning Objectives Introduction Dieting and the Sedentary Person Carbohydrate Requirements and Dietary Restriction Lipid Requirements and Dietary Restriction Protein Needs of the Athlete during Ramadan Issues of Hydration Antioxidant Supplementation during Fasting Conclusions Key Terms Questions for Discussion References Further Reading Tactics to Sustain Training and Competitive Performance during Fasting Learning Objectives Concepts Underlying Modern Training Techniques Changes in Patterns of Training during Fasting or Dietary Restriction Changes in Volume and Time of Training during Ramadan Observance Practical Implications for Athletes Conclusions Key Terms Questions for Discussion References Further Reading Coping and Recovery Tactics during Fasting and Dietary Restriction Learning Objectives Recovery Mechanisms Following an Exercise Bout Other Physical Recovery Techniques Psychological Recovery and Mental Preparation Rest, Napping and Sleeping during Fasting Practical Implications for Athletes Conclusions Key Terms Questions for Discussion References Further Reading Miscellaneous Medical Issues during Dietary and Fluid Restriction Learning Objectives Dietary and Fluid Restrictions and Doping Control Measures Dietary Restrictions and Prescribed Medication Dietary Restrictions and General Health Dietary Restrictions and the Risk of Injury Restriction of Fluid Intake and Heat Stress General Medical Advice Conclusions Key Terms Questions for Discussion References Conclusions p;lt;BR>Conclusions Key Terms Questions for Discussion References Further Reading Carbohydrate Metabolism and Fasting Learning Objectives Nature of Carbohydrates and Normal Daily Requirements Hormonal Mechanisms Regulating Anabolic and Catabolic Activities Effects of Exercise Intensity and Duration on Carbohydrate Oxidation Impact of Carbohydrate Supplements upon Physical Performance Effect of Fasting and/or Dietary Restrictions on Carbohydrate Metabolism Impact of Ramadan Observance on Carbohydrate Intake and Blood Glucose Implications for Athletic Performance Conclusions Key Terms Questions for Discussion References Further Reading Mobilization and Utilization of Lipids during Dietary Restriction Conditions Learning Objectives Fat Metabolism under Non-Fasting Conditions General Effects of Fasting upon Fat Metabolism Practical Applications Areas Requiring Further Research Conclusions Key Terms Questions for Discussion References Further Reading Protein Metabolism during Dietary Restriction Learning Objectives Normal Protein Needs of the Body Mechanisms Regulating Anabolic and Catabolic Activity Dietary Restrictions, Protein Intake and Catabolism Changes in Body Composition with Dietary Restriction Practical Implications Conclusions Key Terms Questions for Discussion References Further Reading Hydration and Fluid Restriction in Athletes Learning Objectives Introduction Normal Regulation of Fluid Balance in Human Subjects Methods of Assessing Dehydration Effects of Water Deprivation Effects of Repeated Moderate Fluid Restriction in Sedentary Individuals Effects of Intermittent Fluid Restriction in Athletes Practical Implications for the Muslim Athlete Other Patterns of Fluid Depletion in Athletes Conclusions Key Terms Questions for Discussion References Further Reading Changes in Hormone Levels and Circadian Rhythms during Fasting Learning Objectives Introduction Hormonal Adaptations to Exercise and Training Metabolic and Hormonal Responses to Fasting Hormonal Responses to the Intermittent Fasting of Ramadan Changes in Exercise Hormonal Responses during Ramadan Observance Ramadan Observance, Sleep Patterns and Circadian Rhythms Practical Implications Conclusions Key Terms Questions for Discussion References Further Reading Oxidative Stress and Fasting Learning Objectives Introduction Training and the Balance between Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Defenses Dietary Modifications and Oxidative Stress Oxidative Stress and Ramadan Intermittent Fasting Dietary Restriction in Patients with Clinical Conditions Dietary Restrictions and Oxidant Stress in Laboratory Animals Practical Implications for Athletes Conclusions Key Terms Questions for Discussion References Further Reading Effects of Dietary and Fluid Restrictions upon Physical Performance, Cognition and Vigilance Learning Objectives Introduction Anaerobic Performance Aerobic Performance Muscular Strength and Endurance Psychomoto.