Sex. The 3 day rule. Empirical evidence?

Fatamorgana

I'm aware that Man U under Fergie had, as part of the players' contract, a clause that they there should be no sex three nights ahead of any European game. Or is that an urban legend?

I first clocked this idea in the film: The Main Event is a 1979 comedy starring Barbra Streisand and Ryan O'Neal, where he's instructed NOT to have carnal relations before a match.

Is there any empirical evidence to tell us this improves a mans' physical performance, be it on the road or in boxing ring or footy field?

imposter2.0

Not sure if serious...

Fatamorgana

... then why comment?

borisface

I ride my bike everyday and I'm married so I don't get any.

meanredspider

The Breakfast of Champions according to the great man, James Hunt.

That said, it must have some effect on testosterone though I'm not sure what.

ETA - a quick Google suggests that sex increases testosterone afterwards - so it seems JH had it right all along.

imposter2.0

Fatamorgana wrote:

... then why comment?

My comment was 'not sure if serious' - not an unreasonable point, given you seem to be drawing inspiration for your post from a quote by a fictional character in a fictional film. Obviously, I missed the bit of your post where you specified the reply criteria.

Smithster

borisface wrote:

I ride my bike everyday and I'm married so I don't get any.

And I haven't told my wife I am going out all day Saturday (again) yet. So I certainly wont be getting any either when I drop that one into a conversation later.

JayKosta

My guess is that the actual 'sex' is not the concern......
It's all the running about and drinking to find a partner that's the problem.

Jay Kosta
Endwell NY USA

Fatamorgana

JH. Very scientific.

Man U have it in their contracts, three nights.
I can't imagine they're alone in such procedures; in truth, I was hoping someone on Radar might have more knowledge.

qube

Fatamorgana wrote:

I was hoping someone on Radar might have knowledge.

Yeah, right.

BeaconRuth

JayKosta wrote:

My guess is that the actual 'sex' is not the concern......
It's all the running about and drinking to find a partner that's the problem.

Like.

Ruth

lostboysaint

JayKosta wrote:

My guess is that the actual 'sex' is not the concern......
It's all the running about and drinking to find a partner that's the problem.

So THAT'S what JT-L was up to!!

diy

There have been a few studies* which say it makes no difference.


However, if you get the feeling of "satisfaction" for a few days after then it may reduce your competitive desire. Given our basic animal instincts I'd reckon if there is any link its more about the link to competing against other people.

*refs:
McGlone, Samantha, and Ian Shrier. "Does Sex the Night Before Competition Decrease Performance?" Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine 10.4 (2000)
Boone, Tommy, and S. Gilmore. "Effects of Sexual Intercourse on Maximal Aerobic Power, Oxygen Pulse, and Double Product in Male Sedentary Subjects." The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 35.3 (1995)
Johnson, Warren R. "Muscular Performance following Coitus." Journal of Sex Research 4.3 (1968)
Sztajzel, J., M. Périat, V. Marti, P. Krall, and W. Rutishauser. "Effect of Sexual Activity on Cycle Ergometer Stress Test Parameters, on Plasmatic Testosterone Levels and on Concentration Capacity. A Study in High-level Male Athletes Performed in the Laboratory." The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 40.3 (2000)
Dabbs, James M., Jr. "Male and Female Salivary Testosterone Concentrations before and after Sexual Activity." Physiology & Behavior 52.1 (1992)
Quinn, Jennifer. “The myths of sex before sport.” BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation, August 12, 2004. Web. October 23, 2013.

imposter2.0

Someone called 'DIY' should not be commenting on a thread about sex..

DeVlaeminck

Seem to remember something about this in Ali's biography "The Greatest" - it's a long time ago but I seem to remember him putting an early defeat or poor display down to having broken the no sex before a fight rule.

ric/rstsport

DeVlaeminck wrote:

Seem to remember something about this in Ali's biography "The Greatest" - it's a long time ago but I seem to remember him putting an early defeat or poor display down to having broken the no sex before a fight rule.

Kelly also used to say similar.

Thankfully, it's a load of tosh.

FatTed

This is what David Haye had to say about this topic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs3yy5Cc52U

mrushton

Lemmy (of Motorhead/Hawkwind fame) always recommended NOT getting a b***-job before going onstage as one found oneself lagging towards the shows end.Van Halen on the other hand had 'sex-tents' backstage on a tour some years back to allow members of the band to 'relax' during the bass/drum/gtr solo