Sex before athletic competition may boost performance

London: Having sex the night before an athletic competition may have a positive impact on performance, suggests new research. These results are surprising, considering the common view that abstinence from sexual activity can boost athletic performance.

"Abstaining from sexual activity before an athletic competition is a controversial topic in the world of sport," said a lead study author Laura Stefani, Assistant Professor of Sports Medicine at the University of Florence, Italy.

"We show no robust scientific evidence to indicate that sexual activity has a negative effect upon athletic results," Stefani added.