A new study suggests that sexual activity before a workout does not impair athletic performance and may even provide a slight boost. The research, published in Physiology and Behavior, challenges the long-standing belief that abstaining from sex before competition enhances focus and aggression.
The study involved 21 well-trained male athletes in their early 20s, competing at regional, national or international levels in sports such as basketball, judo, long-distance running, volleyball and boxing. Each participant completed a cycling test and an isometric handgrip strength test on two occasions: once 30 minutes after masturbation, and once a week later after abstaining. Diet, sleep and routines were matched as closely as possible between tests.
Results showed that after masturbation, athletes had better cycling endurance and a small increase in mean grip strength compared to when they abstained. Testosterone and cortisol levels were higher, while muscle stress was reduced and perceived exertion remained unchanged. Researchers attributed the improvements to higher sympathetic nervous system activity due to an aroused state.
However, the researchers concluded that orgasms do not actively enhance performance but rather do not compromise it. 'Overall, this controlled laboratory evidence refutes the traditional belief that pre-competition sexual activity compromises athletic performance,' they wrote. The findings suggest that athletes need not impose strict abstinence rules in the name of performance.
