From the Research
There is no clear scientific evidence that holding off ejaculation benefits sports performance. Despite the popular belief that sexual abstinence conserves energy or increases testosterone levels for athletic competition, research has not consistently supported this claim. Studies examining the relationship between sexual activity and athletic performance have shown mixed results, with most indicating no significant impact on strength, endurance, or reaction time 1, 2. Some athletes may experience psychological benefits from abstinence if they believe it helps their performance, creating a placebo effect. However, normal sexual activity, including masturbation, does not appear to deplete energy reserves or testosterone levels in ways that would impair athletic ability. In fact, some research suggests that sexual activity may help reduce pre-competition anxiety for certain individuals. The minor energy expenditure during orgasm (equivalent to climbing a couple flights of stairs) is unlikely to affect athletic performance, especially when compared to the energy demands of training and competition.
Key Findings
- A systematic review found that sexual activity before competition does not exert any negative impact on performance, even though high-quality, randomized controlled studies are urgently needed 1.
- A study examining the effects of sexual activity on several measures of physical performance in young adult males found that sexual activity had no effect on any of the six physical performance tests 2.
- Another study found that intense physical activity may affect semen concentration, as well as the number of motile and morphologically normal spermatozoa, but this does not necessarily impact sports performance 3.
- A study on endurance exercise training and male sexual libido found that exposure to higher levels of chronic intense and greater durations of endurance training on a regular basis is significantly associated with a decreased libido scores in men, but this does not directly relate to the impact of ejaculation on sports performance 4.
Recommendations
- Athletes should focus on proper nutrition, hydration, training, and rest rather than sexual abstinence as key factors for optimal performance.
- Normal sexual activity, including masturbation, is unlikely to impair athletic ability, and athletes should not feel obligated to abstain from sexual activity in order to perform at their best.
- The most recent and highest quality study 2 suggests that sexual activity the day before competition does not exert any negative impact on performance, and athletes can make informed decisions about their sexual activity based on their individual needs and preferences.