Scientists have disproved the myth about sex before competition

Scientists have tested a popular sports myth: that sex before training or starting supposedly reduces performance. In a small study on trained young men, no harm was found - strength and endurance did not deteriorate.

The experiment involved 21 athletes 18-25 years old. They were tested on two different days:

• once 30 minutes after masturbation with orgasm,

• the other after seven days of abstinence.

Next, they measured grip strength and did a bicycle test until they were completely fatigued. On average, the participants even performed slightly better after sexual activity: they pedalled about 3.2 per cent longer and their grip strength was slightly higher.

The authors emphasise: this finding is only for trained young men and a specific situation (30 minutes before exertion). More research is needed to understand how this works in women and in athletes of other ages.