Digest of recent discussions on ISSM mail (Sept 2009 - Dec 2009)

III

SUDHAKAR KRISHNAMURTI

Sex before Sporting Events

24 Sep 2009:  11 Messages

1

What is the ISSM's informed opinion and position on the subject of sportspersons - having/not having; being allowed to have/ not being allowed to have - sexual activity before a game? Every now and then these discussions come up in the media. This morning, our Indian team's cricket coach has announced that the players have been `encouraged to have sex' before a match. What is the scientific evidence for / against this? Do we have any recommendations? If not, shouldn't we, the ISSM, be making them?

Sudhakar Krishnamurti (sudhakar1957@gmail.com)

2

I asked an academic sports medicine department in the UK whether they tell sportspersons to have sex or not the night before a game. The classical answer is ‘No’- because men in particular apparently feel less energetic post orgasm. However their answer was that nowadays they do NOT advise sexual abstinence. On a similar topic I have seen a number of cases of post-orgasm illness syndrome where older men feel completely exhausted for days post-orgasm. Do other people see such cases ? They are supposed to be rare, but I am not sure?

David Goldmeier  (david.goldmeier@imperial.nhs.uk)

3

As far as I know, there is neither pro nor contra scientific evidence for sex before sport. Of course, it would not be wise to have orgasm a few minutes before the start of a game, but otherwise there’s no real need for special care. Sportsmen are usually young persons in good physical shape, and intercourse the night before can release endorphins, and create a good mood without any energy imbalance. Of course sex all night long is not advised!

Ondřej Trojan (sexuologie@centrum.cz)

4

I would certainly advise against sexual activity during the match !

(intended as facetious, we suppose, unless author is referring to a five day cricket test match)

       David Price (david.price2@abm-tr.wales.nhs.uk)

5

I think that physically there shouldn't be any impediment to having sex before sport. But we have to consider the psychological intervening factors. The stress that a player might sense before an important game, may perhaps affect his sexual function negatively. On the next day, during the game, the memory of his unsuccessful sexual experience may affect his physical capabilities.

Gila Bronner <gilab@netvision.net.il)

6

In the old days, sportspersons were told not to have sex, because they associated sexual continence with aggression on the field. Not anymore. Nowadays, they keep them in hotel rooms, so they do not go out to drink.

Pierre Assalian (pierreassalian@3web.net)

7

I think that the answer to this question (sexual activity before sports competitions) depends on several parameters:

- Age

- The type of sport: a sport requiring quiet and concentration will not be affected by sexual activity in the same way as a sport requiring intense physical strength

- The interval between the sexual activity and the sports activity

- The moment when the sexual activity takes place: in the evening, during the night…

- The usual reaction of each patient after sexual intercourse (energy, muscular tonus, relaxation…) and usual duration of these sensations… e.g.:

1 - a young man who usually can have successive sexual intercourse 2 or more times without symptoms of post-orgasm illness syndrome, or one who has sexual activity the night before the competition, but has sufficient number of sleeping hours after sex, will probably not be influenced negatively in sports performance 

2 – a man who has sex at 2 a.m., feels very `tired’ after sex, and sleeps only 4-5 hours, will probably be less successful during his match ! 

In conclusion, I think that this question should take into account the variability of the situations and also the variability of physiological and psychological post-orgasmic reactions. I generally tell sportsmen who wonder on this subject to try to have trainings after sexual intercourse and trainings after periods of abstinence to decide what is best for them !

Gilbert Bou Jaoudé  (boujaoude@orange.fr)

8

I propose that a double-blind, prospective, randomized clinical trial be organized to answer this important question.

Stan Brosman (pacsm@aol.com)

9

I realize the question posed was for a male athlete but I wonder what advice is recommended for female athletes in the same circumstances.

Margaret Redelman (redels@medemail.com.au)

10

There is no general consensus and I believe that there is high individual variability.

Andrea Fabbri (andrea.fabbri@uniroma2.it)

11

In our tradition and even in many films and stories, it is generally advised that one must abstain from sexual contact and strenuous exercises before a football match. We see post-orgasmic syndromes more frequently nowadays, and I have noticed that it is more common in those with borderline testosterone level (not yet concluded or published). The recommendation of Dr. Krishnamurti that the ISSM should lay down guidelines and recommendations for this issue is a nice idea. 

Shedeed Ashour (shedeedash@yahoo.com)