Athena Vale
The idea that sex hinders muscle growth and athletic performance is not new. It dates back to ancient Greek and Roman times, when athletes would refrain from sex before athletic contests. Even today, many athletes abstain from sex or masturbation before important sporting events. However, scientific studies have found no evidence to support this idea. Research has shown that sexual intercourse does not significantly impact muscle strength or endurance, and that restricting sexual activity before exercise is unnecessary. While some studies have shown that sexual activity may reduce testosterone levels, most research indicates that testosterone levels rise during sex and masturbation, peaking during orgasm, and that regular orgasms may even have a positive impact on testosterone levels.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sexual activity causing muscle loss | No significant impact on muscle force production |
| Sexual activity before competition | Detrimental to performance |
| Abstinence from sex before competition | Common practice |
| Impact of sexual activity on testosterone levels | Testosterone levels rise during sex and peak during orgasm, then decline to normal levels |
| Impact on sports performance | Depends on sleep, nutrition, and hydration levels |
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What You'll Learn
Sexual activity and athletic performance
The idea that sexual activity hinders athletic performance is not new and dates back to ancient Greek and Roman times, when athletes would refrain from sex before athletic contests. This belief has persisted through the ages, with many modern athletes still abstaining from sex or masturbation before important sporting events.
However, scientific studies have found that sexual activity does not negatively impact athletic performance. A study from 1968 analysed the effect of sexual intercourse on the muscular strength of male lifters and found no influence on muscle strength. Another study from 1995 evaluated the possible impact of sexual intercourse on aerobic performance and found no negative impact when it took place at least 10 hours beforehand.
More recent studies have also examined the effect of sexual intercourse on muscle force production in strength-trained men. One study found that sexual intercourse completed 12 hours before a bout of isokinetic dynamometry had no significant effect on lower extremity muscle strength and endurance. Similarly, a systematic review and meta-analysis of the influence of sexual activity on athletic performance found that sexual activity the night before exercise does not affect various measures of physical exercise performance.
While the energy expended during sexual activity is not significant enough to deplete energy reserves, improper sleep caused by sexual activity can contribute to greater energy loss and reduced sports performance. Additionally, the level of anxiety and stress associated with sex can vary from person to person, and while sex can have a relaxing effect on some, it may not be the case for others. Therefore, the impact of sexual activity on athletic performance is highly personalized and depends on factors such as sleep, nutrition, and hydration levels.
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Testosterone levels and muscle loss
Testosterone is a hormone present in the male body, which is tightly controlled by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. These glands control the amount of testosterone the testicles produce and release. Typically, testosterone levels are highest in the morning and decline throughout the day.
Testosterone helps build muscle by generating proteins, which then increases muscle strength. Therefore, when you have adequate testosterone, it helps stimulate muscle growth. However, as men age, their testosterone levels and muscle mass naturally begin to decline. Men may start to notice symptoms of reduced testosterone, such as hair loss, fatigue, depression, and loss of facial and body hair.
Low testosterone (male hypogonadism) is a condition in which the testicles do not produce enough testosterone. This can be caused by issues with the testicles, hypothalamus, or pituitary gland. Additionally, conditions that affect the hypothalamus and/or pituitary gland can cause secondary hypogonadism, resulting in decreased testosterone and sperm production.
Several studies have found an association between low testosterone levels and muscle loss. For example, a longitudinal study of 957 adult men from 1997 to 2010 analyzed the relationship between appendicular muscle mass and testosterone levels. The results indicated that low free testosterone levels were associated with sarcopenia, the degenerative loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength associated with aging.
However, it is important to note that while testosterone levels contribute to muscle mass, other factors also play a role. Proper nutrition, exercise, and strength training can help maintain muscle mass despite declining testosterone levels. Additionally, adequate protein intake, ranging from 0.8 to 1.2 grams per kilogram of body weight per day, is recommended to support muscle health.
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Muscle strength and endurance
Muscle strength is the ability to exert a maximal amount of force for a short period of time. In the gym, this may look like bench-pressing a heavy barbell for 5-8 repetitions. To build muscle strength, you must consistently add weight to your workout regimen. One way to test and track your progress is to do a one-rep max test, where you lift as much weight as possible during a given exercise for one repetition.
Muscular endurance is the ability to do something over and over for an extended period without getting tired. In the gym, this may look like doing 50 bodyweight squats in a row. To build muscular endurance, you can train by forcing the muscle to engage in resistance exercises for a sustained amount of time, such as lifting weights for a higher number of repetitions or running for progressively longer distances. Cardio exercises such as running, biking, and swimming are also good methods for building endurance.
Overall, sexual activity does not seem to compromise physical performance, given that sleep, nutrition, and hydration levels are maintained. A 1968 study found no influence of sexual intercourse on muscle strength in male lifters, and a 1995 study found that sexual intercourse did not negatively impact aerobic performance when it took place at least 10 hours before the activity.
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Sleep and energy loss
Sleep loss has a significant impact on energy levels and capacity for performance. Research shows that sleep loss affects the ability to perform tasks requiring additional energy, with the body's ability to overcome these deficiencies limited. This can include everyday tasks such as school work or meal preparation.
Sleep loss also impacts the choices we make, which can have health and safety implications. For example, a person may choose to drive when feeling drowsy, increasing the risk of an accident. Sleep loss can also lead to increased energy expenditure, as the body attempts to compensate for the lack of sleep. This can result in fatigue and tiredness, which may be exacerbated by factors such as stress, diet, and weight.
To maintain energy levels, it is important to get sufficient sleep, typically recommended as 7 to 9 hours per night. Sleep allows the body to conserve energy and maintain proper functioning of the central nervous system. Without enough sleep, the body's signals may be delayed, affecting coordination and increasing the risk of accidents. Sleep deprivation also negatively affects mental abilities, emotional state, decision-making, and creativity.
Additionally, sleep loss can impact the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight off invaders and increasing vulnerability to respiratory infections. It can also disrupt hormone levels, leading to increased appetite and weight gain.
To combat sleep loss and improve energy levels, it is recommended to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, a balanced diet, and stress-reducing activities. Even a short 15-minute walk can boost energy levels, and the benefits accumulate with regular physical activity. Eating frequent, healthy meals and snacks can also help maintain energy levels throughout the day. Addressing factors such as weight, smoking, and hidden food allergies may also improve energy levels.
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Ancient beliefs about sex and sports
The ancient Olympics were a mix of discomfort, sleeplessness, sweltering heat, claustrophobic crowds, sex, and religious spectacle. The Olympic site was not just a sports stadium; it was part sanctuary, part art gallery, and part heritage trail. Naked athletes competed in footraces, the pentathlon, horse and chariot races, and three combat sports: wrestling, boxing, and pankration, which was the crowd's favourite due to its lack of rules and emphasis on blood and pain.
In ancient Greece, men were bisexual, and many attended the Olympics with their male lovers. Others sought fresh conquests, and those who were disappointed could always buy the services of a boy prostitute (kinaidos). Lyre players were considered especially desirable, though the prettiest could cost a year's wages for an average worker.
In ancient Rome, prostitution was legal, public, and widespread. "Pornographic" paintings were featured in respectable upper-class households. It was considered natural and unremarkable for men to be sexually attracted to teenage youths of both sexes, and pederasty was condoned as long as the younger male partner was not a freeborn Roman. "Homosexual" and "heterosexual" did not form the primary dichotomy of Roman thinking about sexuality, and no Latin words for these concepts exist. No moral censure was directed at men who enjoyed sex acts with women or males of inferior status, as long as their behaviours revealed no weaknesses or excesses.
Roman religion promoted sexuality as an aspect of prosperity for the state, and individuals might turn to private religious practice or "magic" to improve their erotic lives or reproductive health. Roman-era Stoics such as Seneca and Musonius Rufus emphasised "sex unity" over the polarity of the sexes.
In early Stoicism among the Greeks, sex was regarded as a good thing if enjoyed between people who maintained the principles of respect and friendship. In the ideal society, sex should be enjoyed freely, without the bonds of marriage that treated the partner as property. Some Greek Stoics privileged same-sex relations between a man and a younger male partner. However, Stoics in the Roman Imperial era departed from this view of human beings as "communally sexual animals" and emphasised sex within marriage, which helped sustain social order.
The first evidence of attitudes towards sex comes from the ancient texts of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, specifically the Vedas, which are perhaps the oldest surviving literature in the world. These texts reveal moral perspectives on sexuality, marriage, and fertility prayers. Sex magic featured in a number of Vedic rituals, most significantly in the Asvamedha Yajna, where the ritual culminated with the chief queen lying with a dead horse in a simulated sexual act, clearly a fertility rite intended to safeguard and increase the kingdom's productivity and martial prowess.
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Frequently asked questions
No, sex does not cause muscle loss. In fact, a study by scientists at the University of L'Aquila found that regular orgasms may have a positive impact on testosterone levels.
Sex or masturbation before a workout is not advisable as it is a physical activity that can expend up to 250 calories. However, this energy expenditure is not significant enough to deplete your energy reserves.
The idea that sex or masturbation hinders athletic performance goes back to ancient Greek and Roman times, when athletes would refrain from sexual activity before a contest. However, there is little scientific evidence to support this claim. In fact, sex can have a relaxing effect on the psyche, which may be beneficial for some athletes.
While a few studies have shown that sex may reduce testosterone levels, most studies have found the opposite to be true. Testosterone levels typically rise during sex or masturbation, peak during orgasm, and then return to normal levels shortly thereafter. Therefore, sex or masturbation is unlikely to have a significant impact on your average testosterone levels throughout the day.
