Physical activity has been shown to increase sexual pleasure and satisfaction in several ways:
1. Improved cardiovascular health enhances blood flow, benefiting arousal and sexual function.
2. Exercise releases endorphins, reducing stress and improving mood, which can positively impact libido.
3. Regular physical activity increases stamina and flexibility, potentially improving sexual performance.
4. Body image and self-confidence often improve with exercise, leading to increased sexual satisfaction.
5. Studies have found that individuals who exercise regularly report higher levels of sexual desire and arousal.
6. Strength training can improve pelvic floor muscle tone, potentially enhancing orgasm intensity.
7. Exercise can increase testosterone levels in both men and women, boosting libido.
8. Physical activity may help alleviate symptoms of sexual dysfunction in some individuals.
9. Couples who exercise together often report increased emotional intimacy, which can translate to improved sexual experiences.
Maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle can have a positive impact on your sex life. We know that physical activity can play a leading role in stress management, the great enemy of desire, but according to some studies it can also be a good ally in overcoming certain difficulties that prevent one from enjoying the moment as one would like. No one doubts that practicing sports at a competitive level requires a certain amount of dedication, but Keeping fit with enjoyable activities and setting small attainable goals can give even the laziest people a self-esteem boost, an additional benefit not to be underestimated.
What are the benefits on sexuality
It’s not all about vanity: as gratifying as it is to see oneself more toned or feel stronger, working out teaches love your body for what it can do and not just for how it looks reflected in a mirror. And then there are all the practical benefits. Depending on the discipline, sports can improve circulation, endurance, flexibility, and strength while also making sex more satisfying. What matters is consistency, keeping in mind that sports can have both positive and negative effects on sexual health.
A study published in 2021 in the Journal of Sexual Medicine explains this, confirming the benefits of moderate physical activity in treating female sexual dysfunction. Keeping fit improves circulation, increases desire and arousal, improves lubrication, and makes it easier to reach orgasm, while a sedentary lifestyle can make sex more tiring and less satisfying.
#iol_player_container.vjs-top-parent-mobile z-index: 1000; top: auto; bottom: 0;
However, it should not be forgotten that there are also risks associated with excessive exercise. Working out to the point of exhaustion is counterproductive, both for sexual health and mental well-being. Specifically, participants who underwent overly extreme physical activity regimens were more dissatisfied even than sedentary participants.
Sex: which physical activities improve it
Playing sports may be advisable, but which one to choose? If you ask sportsmen and women, chances are each of them will sing the praises of their favorite discipline. A recent survey commissioned by sports nutrition brand Myprotein polled 3,000 Europeans about the link between sports and sexual satisfaction, a survey that seems to particularly reward dance, tennis and swimming. More than half of the dancers surveyed believe that dance has helped them feel more confident, while according to tennis players and swimmers, the merits of the training relate mainly to the development of strength and endurance.
Also not to be underestimated are yoga and Pilates, for improving flexibility, sexual well-being and even more spiritual qualities such as mindfulness and compassion. The yoga takes care of the body as well as the mind, through controlled breathing and the ability to keep us firmly anchored in the here and now.
As for sports to play as a couple, if tennis is not your thing or you are looking for a solution that will not compromise your monthly budget there is always running. Couples who do jogging together described themselves as particularly close-knit, and working out with two can be a great trick to keep motivation high. Beware of the pelvic floor and joints, however: jumping, running and other high-impact activities are not always recommended for everyone.
Taking care of the pelvic floor
If we talk about sexual health, the most important muscles are the ones we don’t see. By now, almost everyone is familiar with the famous Kegel exercises, which are useful for make sure the pelvic floor muscles do not lose function, but there are also opposing exercises (also called “reverse Kegels”) designed for those who need to learn how to relax those same muscles.
Indeed, if a weakened pelvic floor has among its side effects poor perception of the penis during penetration, keeping the same muscles too rigid and contracted can make the experience quite painful. That’s why knowing how to recognize and control them is recommended for anyone who wants to take care of their sexual well-being, now and in the future.
This is not just an issue for pregnant or menopausal women; on the contrary. Some experts argue that Kegels are quite useful for men as well, for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation.
Is having sex equivalent to playing sports?
Certainly sex can have positive effects on mood, self-esteem and quality of life or relationship, but making it part of the recommended 30-60 minutes of daily physical activity to stay healthy is perhaps a tad ambitious. Among the few studies that have explored the issue from a scientific perspective is a Canadian one, which appeared in 2013 in PLOS One. Researchers assessed the energy expenditure of 21 heterosexual couples with an average age of 22 years, surveying it through a metabolic band worn in the comfort of their own homes. The results were then compared with readings obtained during a moderate exercise session (5 minutes of walking and 30 minutes of treadmill). The difference? During sex, men spent an average of 101 kcal versus 69 kcal for women, while exercising increased to 276 kcal for him and 213 kcal for her. As for intensity, having sex engages more than walking but less than running on the mat.
Read also: How many calories are burned by making love?
Similar considerations are also reported in the Harvard Medical School journal, according to which sex counts at most as a moderate activity. No more demanding than dancing the foxtrot, playing ping pong or picking up dry leaves with a rake, even for men.
