Sexuality has been the subject of many studies for years, especially its physical, psychological and physiological effects on individuals. It has been determined that sexuality is not a purely biological issue; it’s also conditioned by social environment, religion, habits and cultural behaviors. Diverse studies, many of them directed by Master and Johnson in the 70s, have suggested that sexuality is an integral part of the human being and it plays an important part of their development.
Sexual intercourse and exercise has been a controversial subject that has been studied and observed since the Greeks. Many of those observations and beliefs have given way to myths and taboos. Msc. Pedro Reinaldo García, Sports Nutrition specialist, wrote in his personal blog (following a work that he published more than a couple of years ago about sex and exercise), that sexual activity is the human activity most plagued by taboos. And when combined with sports, even more.
As noted in the publication, running coaches often tell their athletes to refrain from having sex a few weeks before a competition to avoid a decrease in the expected results. According to the publication, regarding the results obtained with or without sexual abstinence pre competition, there is no clear evidence showing that sexual activity or the lack of affect an individual’s results at a sporting event.
According to Bike Magazine, in its edition number 01 of the year 2005, number 153 and to an article published on its website by the Cliclismo USB Community, the practice of sexual activity helps lower tension and stress, and improve the functioning of the immune system. It also alleviates certain joint and muscle pains. Other studies have shown that having sex during the 12 hours before a sporting event does not affect performance, not even 2 hours before competing. Other opinions and experiences indicate that in males, having sex before running can have a positive effect because it generates more testosterone and it has positive psychological effects.
When talking about sexual activity and running, it can be said that both have a positive impact on mental health, physical health, general well being. Both activities will undoubtedly improve quality of life, although obviously running requires a greater expenditure of calories. The systematic practice of sports has a positive impact on the production of testosterone, which, in turn, intervenes in the processes of metabolism protein and muscle growth among others. So the healthy practice of sex before a sports event stimulates the production of testosterone and increases sports performance.
In conclusion, I can say that based on my own experiences and on the results of my runners in resistance competitions, I don’t think it necessary to refrain from sex at any time before a race. The only things that could have an adverse effect before any competition are drinking alcoholic drinks, taking any stimulants and loss of sleep.
