Sport and sex

For most people, love and sex simply belong together. Yet the desire for sex is a completely natural and biological instinct, similar to the desire for food or drink.

It is important that a person can regularly satisfy this sexual urge, otherwise it can lead to frustration or even psychological problems.

Sex is healthy and a real physical exertion. The pulse increases by 50-80 beats per minute, and the breathing rate and blood pressure also rise sharply. This phenomenon is similar to how the human body behaves during exercise.

The question of how sex and fitness are related and what interactions exist between them has been discussed and researched for many years. However, the latest findings show that sex and fitness belong together, just as sex and love do.

Does sex make you fit? – Does fitness make you sexy?

For a long time, especially in professional team sports, there was a rumor that sex before exercise had a significant negative impact on fitness and performance. However, due to the wide variety of physical characteristics and differing sexual preferences and habits, it wasn't always easy to prove otherwise through studies. A study in Switzerland has now revealed the truth. Sixteen elite athletes had sex early in the morning. Their fitness was then closely examined. The following day, their fitness and performance were tested again, this time without the participants having sex beforehand. The results put an end to the long-standing rumors. In most cases, prior sex has no negative influence on fitness and athletic performance. On the contrary, many elite athletes even say that sex helps them relax and get a good night's sleep before a game or competition.

Furthermore, sport is also sexy. Women find sports like swimming and football particularly sexy on men. Men are attracted to sports like gymnastics and figure skating on women. But many other sports are also considered sexy and appealing by people of the opposite sex.

Sport and fitness promote a healthy sex life

Recent studies also show that people who are fit and exercise regularly have a better and more fulfilling sex life than those who are inactive. This is especially true for endurance athletes, but less so for strength athletes. Nevertheless, it is clear that fitness and regular exercise have a positive influence on one's sex life. A regular and satisfying sex life is anything but a given these days. Besides common health problems like obesity, high blood pressure, and other cardiovascular diseases, sexual dysfunction and an unsatisfying sex life are also among the most frequent health issues. Athletes live healthier lives, have more sex, and thus further improve their fitness and health. You too can positively influence your fitness, your health, and your sex life through a good, regular amount of exercise, primarily endurance sports. However, the idea that exercise helps against depression is not a proven fact. Rather, many doctors and scientists suspect that the improved sex life resulting from exercise has a positive effect on depression and low mood.

Sex as a performance killer in sports?

Nevertheless, a research group from Geneva, Switzerland, investigated this question. Sixteen top athletes from various disciplines were given a detailed sex and training plan for two days.

• At 6:00 a.m., the athletes had to have "normal sex" with their usual partners at home in familiar surroundings.
• Two hours later, they underwent an initial maximum stress test on a bicycle ergometer in the laboratory. This test was then repeated at midday and again later that evening.

The same tests were performed on a different day, but without sex in the morning. Among other things, maximum oxygen uptake, maximum performance, and pulse and blood pressure responses were checked.

Result:

• Sprinters delivered their full performance in the first test, regardless of the stress of relationships.
• Only footballers and cross-country skiers showed slight signs of fatigue and a slower recovery during the first exertion, whereas a 10-hour interval since the last sexual activity made these differences disappear again.
• Fortunately, the differences between the various parameters were so small that it was subsequently possible to dispense with specifying the timing of sexual contacts in the training plan.

Some athletes even report that having sex the night before an important sporting event counteracts nervousness and sleep disorders and can be responsible for a significantly more restful sleep phase.

Sexuality and sport – are there any unsuitable sports?

Exercise improves your fitness, is healthy, and can also positively influence your sex life. However, there are exceptions. Not every sport is equally suitable. For example, it has been scientifically proven that cycling, even just four hours per week, can negatively affect potency in men. This sport can also have a negative impact on women. With increased intensity, it can lead to weakened orgasms or numbness in the genital area. Sports with a negative calorie balance, meaning more calories are burned than consumed, can also negatively affect your sex life. Women often complain of menstrual irregularities and even a loss of libido when exercising in these conditions. Men who engage in weight training, and perhaps even use banned hormones for muscle growth, also frequently experience sexual dysfunction. As you can see, there are sports that can negatively impact your sex life. The important thing is not to overdo it and always listen to your body.

Conclusion

Sex, sport, and fitness belong together like love and a fulfilling sex life. Nevertheless, you should always pay attention to yourself and your body. Sometimes, a little less is more. However, the assumption that sex negatively impacts athletic fitness and performance is a myth. Sport and sex complement each other perfectly and go well together. Together, they often enable a healthier and more fulfilling life, free from depression, obesity, and other illnesses.

An article from our partner Fitness Magnet.