Sex before competition: does it improve or worsen performance? – GOOD SHAPE

In the fitness world, there is the idea that the sex before competition sport makes the competitor less tense, which improves his performance in the race. But is it true? Apparently, even science has not come to a conclusion: there are studies that agree, but there are also those that disagree with the issue. Understand both sides:

Survey 1: Pre-competition sex hurts athletes

A study of 15 athletes, ages 20 to 40, revealed that sex does not have a positive effect on physical and mental performance.

In it, participants were instructed not to have sex in the 24 hours prior to the beginning of the experiment. On the first day, in the morning, these volunteers underwent a stress test in the exercise bike, for a second mental test in the afternoon and a last effort test in the early evening. The objective was to measure their concentration at different times. In addition, blood samples were taken to check testosterone levels.

Then they were released to return to marry and find their usual partners. The next day, they went through a new battery of tests and, after the results were evaluated, the researchers concluded: having sex 2 hours before a big sporting event does not improve anything. physical performance. And worse, it can impair the ability of athletes to recover.

Research 2: Pre-competition sex does not hinder performance

On the other hand, a group of scientists decided to review studies on the subject. The analysis was published in the journal Frontiers in Physiology in June 2016, and compared about 8 previous studies on the subject. As conclusion, showed that sexual activity can be beneficial if done 10 hours before the competition and not associated with any habit considered bad for health, such as alcohol consumption and smoking.

What does that mean

The analysis itself guarantees. “The sexual sphere is completely individual, and in that context, athletes should be free to practice it however they want.” This means that you shouldn’t abolish the act before participating in a test or challenge just because you’ve read that it’s bad. If you feel that the sex before competition will help, so bet on it!

Sometimes having sex can de-stress and divert your thoughts from the pressure of competition. Not to mention that it brings countless benefits to body and mind. “Some studies have already shown that having sex regularly makes you look up to 10 years younger”, reveals the doctor Jacob Teitelbaum.