Canada, Behind the euphoria there was a sporting event that always emphasized abstinence coach on his athletes, which should not have sexual relations before the game. Should this?
The reason the coach told his athletes before the games held fast sex for fear of disturbing the concentration exercises.
Athletes have long given the theory that sex before a game or competition tantamount to drain much energy. Muhammad Ali, for instance, he reportedly will not have sex for six weeks before the bout.
But scientists say there is no physiological evidence shows that sex before competition is bad. In fact, some studies suggest that sex pre-exercise really can help athletes by increasing the amount of testosterone.
However, clearly not yet known whether there are psychological effects of sex of an athlete's performance. Some scientists suggest that fasting sex can help some athletes to concentrate better.
Physiological effects
"There are two things which is the reason why sex before competition could affect performance," said Ian Shrier, a sports medicine specialist at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, as reported from NationalGeographic, Wednesday (02/06/2010).
First is they can make an athlete tired and weak the next day but this reason is not proven. And secondly, sex can affect the mind and psychological conditions. For this reason has not been tested.
In 2000, Shrier published an editorial titled "Does Sex the Night Before Competition Decrease Performance?" published in the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine.
"The old myth that states that the athlete refused to have sex before a big game may have originated from the theory of sexual frustration," Shrier wrote in his editorial.
Abstinence tradition is particularly true in sports that require strength, such as boxing and football, in which the force of aggression (attack) is considered as a valuable trait. Some people believe that ejaculation in men can 'suck' testosterone, the hormone of sexual desire and aggressiveness of the body.
"This is an opinion that is completely false," nimble Emmanuele A. Jannini, professor of endocrinology from the University of L'Aquila in Italy, who has studied sex effects on athletic performance.
Jannini found that sex actually stimulate the production of testosterone, thus increasing the athlete to perform aggression (attacks).
The scientists rejected the idea that sex the night before the competition has a tiring effect on the athlete or they can weaken the muscles of athletes.
"Actual sexual activity can also help overcome muscle pain or sport injuries in women," said Barry Komisaruk, a psychology professor at Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey.
His study found that sexual stimulation in women produces a strong effect of blocking pain. Effect, can take up to a day for chronic pain such as muscle pain. Komisaruk also found that stimulation of the vagina has a strong effect on muscle tension in the leg.
Psychological effects
Far less is known about the psychological effects of sex on athletic performance. Some experts said the coach supports the theory of 'fasting sex' just because they want to make sure athletes get enough sleep before a big game.
The psychologists have shown there is an optimal level of alertness and anxiety are needed to produce the best performance. Too anxious or aggression can lead to poor performance.
"If athletes are too anxious and restless the night before competition, then sex could make it more relaxing," Shrier wrote in his studies.
But if the athlete is feeling relaxed and not interested in sex the night before a big competition, so sleep is the best choice.
The reason the coach told his athletes before the games held fast sex for fear of disturbing the concentration exercises.
Athletes have long given the theory that sex before a game or competition tantamount to drain much energy. Muhammad Ali, for instance, he reportedly will not have sex for six weeks before the bout.
But scientists say there is no physiological evidence shows that sex before competition is bad. In fact, some studies suggest that sex pre-exercise really can help athletes by increasing the amount of testosterone.
However, clearly not yet known whether there are psychological effects of sex of an athlete's performance. Some scientists suggest that fasting sex can help some athletes to concentrate better.
Physiological effects
"There are two things which is the reason why sex before competition could affect performance," said Ian Shrier, a sports medicine specialist at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, as reported from NationalGeographic, Wednesday (02/06/2010).
First is they can make an athlete tired and weak the next day but this reason is not proven. And secondly, sex can affect the mind and psychological conditions. For this reason has not been tested.
In 2000, Shrier published an editorial titled "Does Sex the Night Before Competition Decrease Performance?" published in the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine.
"The old myth that states that the athlete refused to have sex before a big game may have originated from the theory of sexual frustration," Shrier wrote in his editorial.
Abstinence tradition is particularly true in sports that require strength, such as boxing and football, in which the force of aggression (attack) is considered as a valuable trait. Some people believe that ejaculation in men can 'suck' testosterone, the hormone of sexual desire and aggressiveness of the body.
"This is an opinion that is completely false," nimble Emmanuele A. Jannini, professor of endocrinology from the University of L'Aquila in Italy, who has studied sex effects on athletic performance.
Jannini found that sex actually stimulate the production of testosterone, thus increasing the athlete to perform aggression (attacks).
The scientists rejected the idea that sex the night before the competition has a tiring effect on the athlete or they can weaken the muscles of athletes.
"Actual sexual activity can also help overcome muscle pain or sport injuries in women," said Barry Komisaruk, a psychology professor at Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey.
His study found that sexual stimulation in women produces a strong effect of blocking pain. Effect, can take up to a day for chronic pain such as muscle pain. Komisaruk also found that stimulation of the vagina has a strong effect on muscle tension in the leg.
Psychological effects
Far less is known about the psychological effects of sex on athletic performance. Some experts said the coach supports the theory of 'fasting sex' just because they want to make sure athletes get enough sleep before a big game.
The psychologists have shown there is an optimal level of alertness and anxiety are needed to produce the best performance. Too anxious or aggression can lead to poor performance.
"If athletes are too anxious and restless the night before competition, then sex could make it more relaxing," Shrier wrote in his studies.
But if the athlete is feeling relaxed and not interested in sex the night before a big competition, so sleep is the best choice.
