DOES SEX AFFECT ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE?

DOES SEX AFFECT ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE?

With over 100,000 condoms ordered in 2k10 for Vancouver Winter Olympics, it’s obvious a little extra  physical activity goes on during the games.
But, does this sexual excitement before competition influence an athlete’s performance?

• ANCIENT SCIENCE

Many ancient civilizations, including the Greeks, believed that semen was devine and contained a man’s strength. Today, some athletes hold the belief that sexual frustration, driven by abstinence, ultimately increases aggression which is valuable for many sports. Testosterone, in particular is responsible for aggression and sexual desire in both men and women, and that has long been the belief that ejaculation draws testosterone from the body.Mohammad Ali wouldn't make love six week before fight.

• MODERN SCIENCE

But modern science sees things differently. In fact, many studies have shown the exact opposite: testosterone increases after sex. Go without for over 3 months, and testosterone drops to levels near that of a child. So from a biological perspective, sex may actually increase performance, particularly in sports where a bit of extra aggression could be the deciding factor- like ski-cross, short track speed skating or hockey.
The former Brazilian soccer star RONALDO recommends having "passive" sex the night before a match to help relax
So what about sex tiring the body out?
The honest truth is that the average sex session only burns about 50 calories, equivalent of running up a few flights of stairs. On the contrary, studies have found that sex the night before has no noticeable effects on strength, power, endurance or any other fitness variables. Though, sex has been documented to trigger the release of pain-blockers in the brain. These can help modulate chronic pain, with effects lasting upwards of 24 hours.

• SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHES

a] ''Sex before a marathon makes you faster''

In a recent study, they surveyed 2,000 participants of London Marathon after the race. What they found was that those runners who had been sexually active the night before were on average 5 minutes faster than those who had abstained.

b] ''Sex two hours before exercise can have a negative impact on performance''

 A group of researchers from Geneva tested 16 high-level athletes from different disciplines with an exact plan of training and sexual activity. The test participants were given a maximal graded stress test on a cycle ergo meter two hours after sexual intercourse. The same test was repeated on another day, but this time without the morning coitus. The study showed that soccer players and cross-country skiers exhibited decreased performance and took longer to recover than usual.

c] Psychological Effects

The biggest unknown lies in the psychological effects, which is much harder to study and may actually play a bigger role in major competitions. An athlete’s best performance is achieved with particular balance of alertness and anxiety. Of course, staying up all night chasing sexual escapades tips the scale against alertness the next day. On the other hand, sex can be a great stress release for nervous athletes. While other personalities simply desire more focus and concentration in which case, a good night sleep is deal.

• BOTTOM LINE

At the end of the day, science says: it depends how sex affects each individual. If you need that extra kick of testosterone, then you might just want to get your game on a night early.
So, the next time a race is coming up, don't feel bad about planning a romantic evening for two. Sex can even be a big help for athletes who have trouble sleeping the night before a competition because of their nerves.
During sex, your body releases endorphins, which may help you to relax and sleep better.