First Day of Ramadan Also First Day of Practice for Muslim Athletes

Today is the first day of Ramadan.

It’s also the first day of two-a-day practices for ’s football and soccer teams.

That means that during the most grueling practices of the sports season, about 12 Muslim students will fast from sunrise to sundown.

No food, no water. For 29 days.

That presents a bit of a challenge for the school's athletic trainer Jennifer Dix, who said it’s her job to make sure that the students stay healthy on the field.

“The key is keeping them cool on the outside,” she said.

Between football and soccer, there are a dozen students observing Ramadan.

Dix, who works with the school on a contract basis with , said when she took the job last year, she really didn’t really know how to approach the holiday.

And with Lakewood’s growing Muslim population, she quickly realized she needed to do some homework.

“You don’t want to limit these kids, and you don’t want them to feel different because they celebrate this holiday,” she said.

Dix studied up on the holiday, and has five important tips for Muslim students participating in athletics programs:

1. Review the signs of heat illness (profuse sweating, weakness, nausea, vomiting, headache, lightheadedness, muscle cramps)
2. Focus these athletes on quality versus quantity.
3. Modify training loads when needed.
4. If there is no air conditioning in a facility, see if school will allow athletes to rest in an air conditioned classroom
5. Focus on cooling athletes from the outside, since they won’t be hydrating from the inside. Have the following available: cold immersion bath, ice towels/sponges and bags, shaded rest area, extra fans in locker rooms and training rooms.

After sundown, those who recognize Ramadan are allowed to eat and drink.

But Lakewood’s Muslim students are encouraged to have electrolyte drinks, oranges, bananas and other light snacks.

For more about Ramadan, .