For centuries, the notion that abstaining from sex increases physical performance has been widely debated. From ancient Greek athletes to modern-day boxing legends such as Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson, have practiced sexual restraint in the expectation of increasing strength, stamina, and hope. The famous scene in Rocky where trainer Mickey Goldmill tells Rocky Balboa to "lay off that pet shop dame", “women weaken legs,” further fueled this belief, reinforcing the belief that sex before competition weakens the body. But does science back this up, or is it merely an outdated myth?

The theory that sex saps energy and impairs performance goes back almost 2,000 years. Abstaining, ancient Greek athletes believed, would enhance aggression and concentration, leading them to become stronger competitors. Even today in the world of sports, people stick to this hypothesis despite the changing scientific findings. But during the Rio 2016 Olympics, officials gave away a staggering half a million condoms to participants—far from a indication that sex was being thought of as a performance-sapping activity.

Although some continue to abstain prior to major events, the real effect of sex on sports performance is still controversial. Is there any basis to the belief that sex inhibits strength and endurance, or is it merely an old wives' tale?

Role of Testosterone in Athletic Performance

Testosterone is an essential hormone that is essential for muscle growth, power, and overall athletic performance. Although men naturally produce more than women, both sexes need testosterone for energy and recovery. Some athletes think not having sex maintains their testosterone levels, providing them with an advantage in the gym or on the field. But is this statement scientifically accurate?

Studies indicate that testosterone levels are not consistent throughout the day but are constantly being produced in the body. Unlike glycogen, which can be stored and used as energy, testosterone is controlled according to the needs of the body. Research does not indicate that having sex depletes testosterone levels significantly—if anything, it can increase them slightly through endorphin and dopamine release.

Does Abstinence Make One Stronger and More Enduring?

Some fitness enthusiasts skip sex before hard workouts because they think it takes away their energy. Although intense physical exercise (including sex) can cause temporary tiredness, there is no scientific evidence to support that sex deteriorates long-term strength or endurance.

A 2016 review article in Frontiers in Physiology reviewed nine studies of sex and performance in sports, and concluded there was no basis to believe sexual activity prior to competition would cause the body to be weakened. Another study, published in 2019 in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, found no statistically significant effect of sex on performance.

Whereas sex shortly before intense exercise may make you momentarily lethargic, it will not impair general performance, stamina, or muscular power. As an alternative, taking sufficient rest, eating appropriately, and exercising with a standard program are many more significant variables.

Can Men 'Save' Their Testosterone Through Abstinence?

It is long believed by some men that ejaculation abstinence will result in a dramatic increase in testosterone. In 2003, researchers from China claimed that men who did not ejaculate for seven days experienced a short-term 45% rise in testosterone. Yet this response was not found to last past the seventh day, and subsequent experiments have been unable to duplicate this effect regularly.

Conversely, some studies show that testosterone levels actually increase slightly after sex, undermining the idea that abstinence is required for optimal performance. The bottom line? The body has a fine balance of hormone production, and sex abstinence is not likely to give any real athletic benefit.

Even though there is no scientific basis, most athletes still feel that sex impacts their performance. It may be because of the placebo effect—if a player believes that not having sex makes him or her stronger, he or she will be more confident and play better. Some players may also feel relaxed and more alert after sex, and this clears their minds for the competition.

Finally, the psychological effect of sexual activity can differ from individual to individual. Sports persons who believe abstinence allows them to remain aggressive may decide to abstain from sex prior to a big event. There are others who believe that sex helps in reducing stress and enhancing sleep and may gain from intimacy pre-competition.

So, Should You Avoid Sex to Enhance your Performance at Gym?

Although the concept of forgoing sex to enhance gym performance has been around for generations, new research indicates that it does not have any noticeable effect on physical ability. Strength, stamina, and overall performance are more affected by training, nutrition, recovery, and psychological readiness than by sex.

If you think that abstinence makes you more aggressive and focused, you can do so without any ill effects. If sex makes you sleep better and relax, you might be increasing your performance rather than diminishing it. The message here is that there's no one-size-fits-all principle—players have to listen to their bodies and play in whatever way best suits them.

Ultimately, there is no scientific rationale for not having sex before you go to the gym or to compete. Whether you abstain or not, therefore, the outcome of your workout will come down to the effort you make, not the activity in the bedroom.

We often assume that having a “normal weight” automatically means being healthy. While body weight is an important parameter, it represents only a small part of overall health. True health is far more complex than what a number on the weighing scale can convey.

Understanding The Limitations Of BMI

Body Mass Index (BMI) is widely used to classify individuals based on their weight relative to height. However, it does not differentiate between fat and muscle. As a result, someone may fall within the normal BMI range yet still have high body fat and low muscle mass, a condition known as “normal weight obesity.” Such individuals may appear healthy but remain at risk for metabolic disorders.

Why Is Body Composition Important?

Body composition analysis offers deeper insight by evaluating fat, muscle mass, and their distribution in the body. A combination of low muscle mass and excess body fat, especially around internal organs, can increase disease risk, even when overall weight appears normal.

The role of fat distribution:

All body fat is not the same. Where fat is stored matters significantly. The waist-to-height ratio is now considered a more reliable indicator than BMI, as it reflects fat distribution. A ratio above 0.5 is associated with a higher risk of conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and even increased mortality.

Looking beyond numbers:

Health cannot be defined by numbers alone. Factors like physical activity, nutrition, stress levels, and sleep quality play an equally critical role. Even individuals with a normal weight can experience poor metabolic health due to inadequate sleep or chronic stress.

The bigger perspective:

Good health is not just about appearance or weight, it is the result of multiple factors working together. It reflects a balance between internal processes and external lifestyle choices.

In essence, being of normal weight does not necessarily mean being healthy. To truly stay well, it is important to look beyond weight and consider the broader picture of health.

Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic is set to fly to Europe to seek specialized treatment on his Grade 2 left hamstring strain, according to a media report.

Doncic suffered the injury during Thursday's 134-96 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Though Grade 2 hamstring strains typically involve a monthlong recovery process, Doncic is motivated to return to theLakers' lineup during the playoffs -- which is a shared goal for Austin Reaves, who is out because of a Grade 2 left oblique muscle injury, the basketball player’s agent Bill Duffy told ESPN.

What Is A Hamstring Strain

Hamstring muscles power a player’s acceleration. Sudden bursts of speed without adequate flexibility or strength can cause a strain. It can be a pull, a partial tear, or a complete tear.

Symptoms include:

• Sudden Sharp Pain
• Physical Sensations
• Physical Changes
• Reduced Mobility

Prevention includes stretching, foam rolling, and strengthening exercises like deadlifts, leg curls, and bridges.

Hamstring strains are graded according to their severity. A grade 1 strain is mild and usually heals readily; a grade 3 strain is a complete tear of the muscle that may take months to heal.

Also read: For How Long Should You Be Able To Hold A Plank In Your 20s?

What Are The Common Injuries In Basketball?

Basketball players are more likely to get hurt during matches than during training, with risks coming from tackling, sprinting, twisting, jumping, or even repeating the same movements until fatigue sets in. Collisions, poor conditioning, or re-injuring a previously weakened area can also contribute.

Sprained Ankle

Quick changes of direction and uneven surfaces make ankle sprains one of the most common basketball injuries. This happens when the ankle rolls inward or outward, overstretching the ligaments.

Protect, Optimal loading, Ice, Compression, Elevation, and avoid HARM factors: Heat, Alcohol, Running, Massage, in the first three days.

Groin Strain

Twisting, kicking, or rapid directional changes can strain the inner thigh muscles, also known as adductors.

Prevention is through regular stretching and strengthening exercises such as side lunges and adductor side bridges.

ACL Injury

The anterior cruciate ligament is critical for knee stability. Injuries often occur when the lower leg stays planted while the upper leg twists, during tackles, or awkward landings.

Mild sprains may heal with physiotherapy, but severe tears often require surgery. Persistent swelling or pain should be checked by a professional.

Preventing Basketball Injuries

• Strengthen lower limbs with exercises like squats, lunges, and calf raises.
• Warm up with dynamic stretches and sport-specific drills.
• Cool down after matches to aid recovery.
• Wear proper gear, including fitted boots and shin guards.
• Stay hydrated, eat well, and rest between games.

As weight-loss injections like Mounjaro and Wegovy are becoming increasingly accessible, a growing number of individuals are using them for both health benefits and body toning.

While there are various health-related side effects linked to these, one emerging effect is a surge in divorce rates.

According to experts, after slimming down, partners are on the lookout for new love. The weight loss jabs are doubling the risk of divorce, the Telegraph reported.

Divorce rates from fat jabs are set to soar in the future, Professor Per-Arne Svensson, from the University of Gothenburg, was quoted as saying.

“What we see, for instance, in divorces is that it occurs after a couple of years after you started your treatment,” he added.

What Studies Are Saying

A 2018 study led by Swedish researchers from the Karolinska Institutet and University of Gothenburg showed that men and women who lost a substantial amount of weight after weight-loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, are more likely to divorce or have their relationships end than those who don’t undergo surgery.

Prof Svensson, who led the 2018 research, found that patients with a gastric band were almost 50pc more likely to get divorced within six years.

In the study of 12,531 married patients, 14.4pc divorced during this period compared with 8.2pc among the wider population. The research suggests the chance of divorce is significantly higher among patients who have experienced rapid weight loss.

Another study led by researchers from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, US, showed that adults who are not married and get weight-loss surgery are more than twice as likely to get married within five years. Likewise, adults who are married and get bariatric surgery are more than twice as likely to get divorced.

Although the studies are focused on people who had been fitted with gastric bands, known as bariatric surgery, the rise of weight-loss drugs will trigger an even larger divorce trend in the future, the report said.

Also read: Lehengas, Diets & Now Mounjaro: The New Must-Have For Indian Brides?

Svensson said, “very similar mechanisms could occur with Ozempic [and other GLP-1 receptor agonists] as with surgery, concerning changes in relationships. Within the newest weight loss drugs, Mounjaro, for instance, we would have weight losses that are not as big as with bariatric surgery, but they are significant enough. So I still believe that these mechanisms could occur.”

Rising Divorce Rates: Weight Loss Jabs Empowering Individuals

The report stated that a reason for the rising divorce rates among people who use weight loss jabs is that these are boosting the confidence of individuals to come out of unhealthy relationships.

“It could also be that you have a person who is stuck in a bad relationship, but doesn’t have the self-confidence to break it off because they feel ‘who would like to date them, if not their current spouse’, " said Prof Svensson.

Read more: India To Strictly Inspect GLP-1 Drugs To Curb Misuse: Govt Flags Risks Amid Weight-loss Hype

“It’s not that losing a large amount of weight is ending healthy marriages. It’s probably more than for the person losing weight and feeling better about themselves; it may be empowering them to leave an unhealthy relationship,” added David Sarwer, the director of the Center for Obesity Research in Philadelphia, US.

Sarwer said if the high cost of slimming drugs falls even further, it will lead to a greater shedding of bad relationships.

There will probably be “a subset of people who, as they’re feeling better about themselves,” find it becomes “a motivational catalyst to move on from what would otherwise be an unhealthy relationship”, he said.