Does pre-competition sex affect performance?

There is a lot of debate around the idea of ​​pre-contest sex. While old-school minded athletes claim that abstaining from sex before a race enhances performance, new-school athletes don’t believe so.

So, what does science say about the relationship between sex and athletic performance? Does pre-game sex hurt your performance?

Arguments for and against pre-race sex

Let’s cover the “why” of pre-game sex. Why is it that some people treat it as a kind of religious dogma and others encourage you to take a more hedonistic approach?

No sex before the competition.

Coaches and players who support the idea of ​​just using A bed to sleep on Pre-contest usually refers to one of the following reasons:

• Testosterone levels are higher in men. When women abstain from sex.
• Those high testosterone levels boost confidence and overall performance.
• Leg and hip muscles are weak after sex.
• You lose concentration after sex and abstinence prevents brain fog.

Have sex before an event.

On the other side of the coin, you have let-live and live-live players. People who usually say that having sex before sports benefits their performance for one of the following reasons:

• Sex before a race can help you. Relax physically and mentally.
• Sex before sports can lower fight-or-flight hormones, especially cortisol.
• It relieves tight muscles and tension which makes you more agile.
• It helps bring you into the present moment, making you more alert and focused.

Is there any truth to these mythical benefits? Well, spoiler alert: Both sides are actually half right, and the benefits apply to both men and women.

The problem with sex studies

Believe it or not, pro athletes have actually volunteered for several studies to see if sex before their respective sport hurts their performance.

Here’s the thing: It must be explained. Gender. After all, no two bedroom romps are alike. What might last for a few minutes before falling asleep in the missionary position is definitely not the same as a three-hour marathon with a Gatorade break halfway through. And it’s this idea that causes trouble in the question, “Does pre-contest sex really make a difference?”

What qualifies as “sex”? And what about masturbation? Does the latter have the same effect as the former?

Unfortunately, there really isn’t a scientific way to study this question. You can’t force athletes to take the same amount of time or ensure the same level of intensity. The best you can do is look at the whole and try to determine the average, and these studies did just that.

Sex before the competition? Here’s what the study says.

With all that said, here’s a highlight reel of what the meta-analyses concluded:

How to practice safe sex for sports

If you’re having sex at least 10 hours before your big event, you’re not trying to set a new world record for sexual endurance, and you find yourself sleeping through the night, you have nothing to worry about. There is no need.^{[1] [2] [4]}

Interestingly, note how the “no sex before sports” group claimed that abstinence could be avoided. Boost your testosterone levels.? It’s actually the opposite.^{[1] [2]}

Some studies show that sex increases testosterone levels in both men and women. It answers the gender and testosterone equivalent of the chicken and the egg question. Sex comes first.

Prosex before a sports group is also valid in that it helps with your mood and mindset, allowing you to relax and calm down before competition.^[3]

Sex before the competition: think twice.

In stark contrast to the point above, the closer you get to showtime and the faster your bedroom performance, the more likely you are to tire yourself out. This should be common sense. Why would you do a hard workout before your even harder workout?

Turns out the non-sex group was right about this: Studies show that having sex just hours before a competition can affect your athletic performance, especially in the lower body. And if you’re a runner or running back, that’s not a good thing.^{[1] [2]}

But what if you’re all jittery on race or game day and need to find some kind of quick release?

When in doubt: Go solo

Assuming masturbation is a passive activity and not a two-hour workout, a short, low-intensity solo session might be the answer when you’re nervous before a game.

Not only can it provide you with feel-good chemicals, but you also don’t have to worry about overdoing it before you’re expected to hit the ground running.^[1]

Final thoughts: Does having sex before a race hurt performance?

Studies have shown that it is not the process of ascent that can interfere with athletic performance. Rather, it was the intensity of the physical movements associated with intercourse. Also, timing makes a huge difference.

The main routes for athletes are simple:

• Save Kama Sutra positions for the off-season.
• Focus on having fun, easy sex without trying to show off your stamina.
• Make sure you have sex 10 hours before show time.

Following these tips can help you get in top shape for your next competition, but if you want to make sure you reach your goals, you Adidas Running App. Set your goals and make sure you’re ready for game day no matter what activities you choose to do.

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