Sao Paulo, NU Online
A galaxy of Muslim players in the ongoing World Cup, Brazil 2014 will have to make a tough decision as the tournament goes into the second round, which starts with the beginning of the Muslims’ holy fasting month of Ramadan.<>

"The challenge is mainly trying to maintain hydration on a daily basis, and secondly trying to maintain energy levels," Emma Gardner, performance nutritionist at the English Institute of Sport, told Reuters.

"Muscle mass is also an issue. Research suggests that people can lose muscle mass through the period of Ramadan, although it tends to be during the early period," she said.

France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Algeria and Nigeria are among the teams that have Muslim players who may choose to observe the 30-day period of fasting and reflection.

Ramadan, the holiest month in Islamic calendar, is expected to start in June 28 through July 27.

For the first time since 1986, the Muslim holy month falls on the first day of the second round matches on June 28th.

The tournament sees the participation of a huge number of Muslim stars in different European and African teams along with teams representing six-majority Muslim countries.

Those stars include those from the French squad, including Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema, Mamadou Sakho of Liverpool, Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna and Newcastle’s Moussa Sissoko are all practicing Muslims.

Same are Belgium’s Premier League duo Marouane Fellaini and Moussa Dembele, Switzerland’s key man Xherdan Shaqiri and Arsenal and Germany playmaker Mesut Ozil who are all Muslims.

Gardner’s warning regarding fasting the holy month of Ramadan contradicts with the opinion of Jiri Dvorak, FIFA's chief medical officer, who told a media briefing on Monday that players observing the fast should not suffer any deterioration in their physical condition.

"We have made extensive studies of players during Ramadan, and the conclusion was that if Ramadan is followed appropriately, there will be no reduction in the physical performances of players," Dvorak told reporters.

To Fast or Not to Fast

Working with Muslim players during the holy month, Gardner had a couple of advices for Muslim players intending to fast Ramadan.

"For players observing the fast during the World Cup, the optimal timing for games would be evening kickoffs, as it's closest to the time when they can replenish and rehydrate," she said, explaining strategies to offset the impact of fasting.

"Some athletes choose to use mouth rinsing, where they basically rinse their mouth our with water but don't ingest any," said Gardner, who has previously worked with English soccer club Blackburn Rovers.

"There is research to show that there are cognitive benefits, it makes them feel like they're drinking. Otherwise you can use things like cold towels to help them cool down."

Facing dehydration threat, the nutritionist said that the best way to help fasting players was to consult with their coaches to ensure that their physical activity and recovery were properly planned, recommending they train only once a day.

"Ideally, from looking into research, the best time for athletes who are partaking in Ramadan to train is either early in the morning or late at night, as near to a time when they can hydrate and eat."

Amid such calculations, some players have made up their minds concerning fasting the holy month of Ramadan, including Ivory Coast’s Kolo Toure.

Germany's Mesut Ozil, however, made up his mind not to fast Ramadan.

"Ramadan starts on Saturday, but I will not take part because I am working," he told a press conference on Wednesday.

Ramadan is the holiest month in Islamic calendar.

In Ramadan, adult Muslims, save the sick and those traveling, abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex between dawn and sunset.

Muslims dedicate their time during the holy month to be closer to Allah through prayers, self-restraint and good deeds.

It is customary for Muslims to spend part of the days during Ramadan studying the Noble Qur'an.

Many men perform i'tikaf (spiritual retreat), spending the last 10 days of the month exclusively in the mosque.

Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq