Sex before sport: should we?

For some of us there is a nagging question – should I or shouldn’t I? Does having sex really affect sporting performance?
With only four months until the 1st Asia Pacific Outgames in Melbourne, this is the question that should be on everyone’s lips.
The long-held myth that having sex affects competition has in fact little physiological scientific basis, although there is a growing belief that, psychologically, athletes are affected depending on how they react.
For others, concentration, or being in “the zone”, is impacted if they participate in sex.
Ironically, most myths stem from a male-centred belief that lack of sexual satisfaction makes you perform better, where levels of testosterone in the body determine whether the athlete will have the desired outcome – and, as with all males, more is more.
Some scientists actually believe that women having sex prior to competition can produce powerful pain-blocking effects, which in sport can lead to greater results in endurance.
Most sports rely heavily on either concentration or aggression but it does depend on how you respond.
If you need to concentrate heavily, then a big night of sex may affect you negatively. However, if you need a bit of stimulation, then sex may give you the boost you need.
Top five tips for sex in sport
1. Make sure you aren’t too tired after exercise to actually have sex.
2. Set up a pattern to determine what the impact of sex is on your sports performance.
3. More testosterone usually means better performance.
4. Being relaxed in both activities will lead to better performance.
5. Even if you don’t win, you can still romp with the hot guy or gal in front – then everyone’s a winner.