The relationship between sex and sport has always been controversial. We will begin by analysing the effect that sex can have on sporting performance.
Sex and sport, what history tells
In the world of sport there is a maxim that, no matter how often it is repeated, is considered an irrefutable truth: before engaging in a sporting activity, one should not have sexual relations. And even more so when one is about to face a demanding competition. This discussion, however modern it may seem, actually began in ancient times, when the first sporting disputes were held. As early as 444 BC, The Greek philosopher Plato argued that "Olympic competitors should avoid sexual intimacy before the races.". A few centuries later - in 77 AD - the Latin writer, scientist, naturalist and military man Pliny the Elder wrote:
"When athletes are lacking energy, making love can revitalize them."
At the beginning of the century, the University McGill University, in conjunction with the Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Community Studies, from Canada, conducted an analysis of studies published in the prestigious Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine, finding no conclusive evidence. They concluded that the «Exhaustion cannot be a determining factor for an athlete's performance, because during sexual intercourse only the equivalent of climbing two flights of stairs is burned»The energy expenditure of an average sexual relationship is 101 Kcal. or 4,2 Kcal/min in men and 69,1 Kcal or 3,1 Kcal. /min in women. An average intensity of 6 dish in men and 5,6 dish In women, it coincides with moderate physical activity.
Can sex and sport mix?
Sexual activity should not be prohibited for athletes, as there is no scientific basis for this. This is the same for men and women. The athlete must decide what is best for him or her. It depends on his or her pace, meal and training schedule, and if he or she does not alter that, he or she should not have any qualms about doing so. Sexual activity with a regular partner improves sports performance because it releases endorphins, promotes muscle relaxation and feelings of pleasure and tranquility. In addition, arousal leads to a release of TRT testosterone, a determining hormone in sports activity and directly related to sports performance since it allows us to increase muscle mass and strength.
The psychological part in this sense has not been sufficiently studied. We must remember that the mind is very powerful and that el Placebo effect It is a well-documented scientific phenomenon. According to scientists, in studies that have been done on the subject, sex may help athletes to concentrate. Sports psychology has already shown that a little anxiety, alertness and aggression are necessary for maximum athletic performance. But too much anxiety or aggression has the exact opposite effect, of course. The key here is balance.
Effects of sex and sport
When performing some types of exercises for erectile dysfunction the brain releases hormones. LEndorphins, for example, have a pleasurable effect and generate a feeling of well-being. Endorphins are essential for the generation of desire.
In this way, the body tends to feel a relaxation that eliminates stress. On the other hand, the release of endorphins helps improve mood and feel better, which contributes to increase libido. According to some studies, people with good self-esteem feel more desirable and perform better when it comes to having sex. According to different reports, with only 20 minutes of exercise, the production of this hormone increases.
A study recently published by the Journal of Sexual Medicine, investigated the different levels of testosterone before and after exercise in women. Twenty minutes of exercise kept the subject with a sufficient level of libido to initiate sexual activity. There is evidence that people who tend to exercise more show certain behavioural characteristics such as a high sexual drive.
Both of them, Sex and exercise stimulate the release of hormones that can help us feel better. They also boost our self-esteem and make us more powerful and vigorous, both in bed and while we train.. Both training and sex raise the levels of endorphins, testosterone and adrenaline in our body. Therefore, we can benefit from the action of these male hormones in sports practice as well as in private life.
