Can sex influence athletic performance and training? Does abstinence truly improve results, and do excessive physical loads lower libido?
In this article, we explain how sex and training are interconnected and how sexual activity affects physical fitness, endurance, and well-being. Based on scientific studies, we debunk popular myths and share important facts.
Fact One: Sex 10–12 Hours Before Exercise Does Not Affect Physiological Indicators
An analytical study from Iran’s Shahid Beheshti University found that sex 10–12 hours before sports activities does not affect physical fitness or results. In the study, athletes underwent tests on:
- grip strength with maximum effort
- hamstring flexibility
- reaction time
- aerobic strength
- VO2 max
- submaximal graded load
- muscle endurance
- oxygen pulse
- testosterone
- cortisol
- blood glucose concentration
- mental concentration
The results showed that those who had sex 12 hours before the tests and those who did not had the same indicators. This confirms that sexual activity 10–12 hours before sports does not affect physical fitness.
Fact Two: Sex a Few Hours Before Training Can Be Harmful.
However, researchers at Shahid Beheshti University found that 1–2 hours after sex, heart rate significantly changes. Additionally, 40% of athletes had difficulty during intense exercise in this period.
The body needs a few hours to recover after “physical pleasure with relaxation.” Sex before sports negatively affects athletic performance.
Fact Three: Sports Improve the Quality of Sex Life
Scientists Tina Penhollow and Michael Young from the University of Arkansas’s Medical Sciences Program researched how physical activity impacts the quality of sexual life in men and women of different ages and statuses. They found moderate regular exercise improves mood, self-esteem, sexual activity, and satisfaction. Exercise improves endurance, muscle tone, and body composition, enhancing sexual function. It also activates the sympathetic nervous system, stimulating blood flow to the genital area. On the psychological level, physical activity boosts sexual “confidence.” People in better physical shape feel more self-assured in intimate situations, leading to more excellent sexual attractiveness and effectiveness.
For example, 60-year-old swimmers had a sex life comparable to 40-year-olds who did not exercise.
Fact Four: Sex Before Sports is Questionable, But Sex After Sports is Great
Lisa Hamilton, a scientist at the University of Texas at Austin, found that short, moderate exercise immediately enhances genital response to erotic stimuli in women. This happens due to changes in hormone levels, neurotransmitters, and nervous system activity. Men also want sex immediately after a short, intense workout due to an increase in testosterone levels, as discovered by Dr. Mark S. Tremblay during an experimental study.
So, it might be a good idea to go to the gym with your partner or organize a couple of workouts before bed. This will surely enhance the sexual experience, boosting sensitivity and energy while improving both partners’ physical fitness.
Fact Five: Excessive Exercise Lowers Libido
Scientists at the University of South Carolina found intense and frequent exercise can lower libido. The study involved 1,077 men and showed that moderate, regular exercise over the years is better for sexual strength. Overly intense workouts can provoke hypogonadism, which suppresses testosterone and luteinizing hormone. They also lead to physical and mental fatigue. However, these issues can be solved through moderation.
15% of the men studied exercised 10 hours a week and had low libido, while 2% who exercised only 4–6 hours a week had high libido. Additionally, men with long-term chronic training had normal or high libido much more often than those with short-term training histories.
After understanding how sex impacts sports performance, it’s also worth considering how general rest and recovery help maintain health. Resting in sanatoriums in Ukraine can be an excellent way to maintain physical fitness and improve well-being. This article explains the country’s best sanatoriums.
