Olympics 2018: Sex doesn't have a direct impact on athletic performance, research suggests

The Olympics include a bevy of traditional symbols: the gold, silver and bronze medals; the Olympic torch; the signature Olympic rings; and … condoms?

Yes, every year, word spreads about all of the condoms ordered in preparation for the scores of Olympic athletes who descend upon the year's chosen host city. For this year's Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang, South Korea, the International Olympic Committee says that 110,000 condoms will be available in competition and non-competition venues that include a medical facility.

So it begs the question: Is sex a good idea for athletes before they compete? According to research, it doesn't seem to have a direct impact on athletic performance.

The myth that athletes shouldn't have sex before athletic performance dates back to ancient Greek and Roman times. One thought was that athletes have to make sacrifices to be the best. Another was that athletes need as much male hormone (testosterone) as possible, because it would make them more aggressive. A man's ejaculation was thought to result in lost testosterone.

Researchers published a meta-analysis on the subject in 2016, examining a host of different studies. The studies had people do activities like have sex then perform hand strength exercises to see if their strength was diminished pre- or post-sex.

Dr. Lauren Streicher, medical director of Northwestern Medicine's Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause, was not involved with the research but says that not one study showed an impact on sexual activity and athletic performance unless they didn't get a good night's sleep because of it – i.e., if you're up all night having sex and you go to compete the next day, the lack of sleep is going to matter more. Smoking or alcohol use concurrent with sex could lead to possible negative effects, the study abstract notes.

Streicher says that most of the studies involved were not very well done and included small sample sizes, and the study authors say more research is needed for clarity purposes.But while it's never been looked at in a way you'd like to perform a scientific study – in a large-scale, thousand people, double-blinded prospective study, for example – Streicher says there's no scientific reason that sex should have such an impact on athletic performance.

As for what actually might hinder athletes? Dr. David Joyner – who was the head doctor for the U.S. team at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France – says that close quarters and close proximity led to much of the health issues athletes encountered. This included illnesses like upper respiratory infections, sore throats, colds, etc. Joyner is now the executive director and senior vice president of the Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine.

While actual health recommendations vary by sport, he says that it's important athletes get proper rest, stay hydrated and maintain the right nutritional balance leading into the games and once they arrive.

Streicher says the bottom line for athletes is to get a good night's sleep and don't drink a lot – whether you've had sex or not.