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 But does science back this up, or is it merely an outdated myth?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.

There’s a real issue here—“gym supplements” aren’t automatically harmless, and unsupervised use can increase cardiovascular risk, especially when stacking multiple products.

Most harm isn’t from basic supplements like protein—it’s from stimulants, hormone-like substances, and unregulated combinations. The risk becomes significant when users chase rapid physique gains without medical awareness.

Where Does The Heart Risk Come From

1) Stimulant-heavy pre-workouts

• Often contain high-dose caffeine, synephrine, yohimbine, or hidden stimulants
• Risks: tachycardia, hypertension, atrial/ventricular arrhythmias, and even ischemia in susceptible people
• Case reports link these to events resembling acute coronary syndrome and sudden cardiac death

2) Anabolic agents / “muscle boosters”

• Includes anabolic steroids or “test boosters” adulterated with hormones
• Risks: LV hypertrophy, fibrosis, dyslipidemia (↓HDL, ↑LDL), thrombosis → premature CAD
• Strong association with cardiomyopathy

3) Protein excess + dehydration

High protein alone is usually safe in healthy individuals, but can increase the risk of electrolyte imbalance and arrhythmias when combined with:

• poor hydration
• intense workouts
• creatine misuse

4) Fat burners / thermogenics

• Often under-regulated blends
• Risks: QT prolongation, coronary vasospasm, hypertension

5) Electrolyte imbalance

• Overuse of diuretics, cutting agents, or poor hydration
• Can precipitate arrhythmia even in structurally normal hearts

6) Contamination & mislabeling

• Many supplements contain undeclared drugs (steroids, stimulants, SARMs)
• This is one of the biggest hidden risks globally

Who Is At Risk

People at risk include those with:

• Undiagnosed structural heart disease (e.g., hypertrophic cardiomyopathy)
• Prior myocarditis
• Family history of sudden death
• Hypertension or CKD
• Combining supplements with alcohol, dehydration, or extreme training

Red fags In Gym Users

• Palpitations, skipped beats
• Chest pain during/after workouts
• Unexplained syncope or near-syncope
• Excessive BP rise or headaches
• Decline in exercise tolerance

These should not be dismissed as “normal gym effects.”

Practical Guidance

• Avoid “proprietary blends”—know exact ingredients and doses
• Limit caffeine intake (<300–400 mg/day total from all sources)
• Prefer single-ingredient supplements over stacks
• Screen high-risk individuals (ECG ± echo before intense training)
• Encourage hydration and electrolyte balance
• Absolutely avoid anabolic steroids outside of medical indication.

Colon cancer, medically known as colorectal cancer, was historically typical for people aged 50 or older. However, in recent years, the cancer that forms in the tissues of the large intestine has been increasing in prevalence in young adults. As many as one in five colorectal cancer patients today falls into this younger age group.

Now, a study published by the American Society of Clinical Oncology shows that marathons, which are one of the most celebrated physical activities, may be increasing the risk of the disease.

What Did The Study Find?

The team at Inova Schar Cancer Institute in Virginia, US, initiated the study after observing multiple “ultramarathoners” present to their cancer center with advanced colorectal cancer.

To probe the link, they recruited 100 runners to undergo colonoscopies — the gold standard for screening and preventing colorectal cancer. The team then looked at runners ages 35 to 50, who had either completed at least five marathons or two ultramarathons (any runs of 50 kilometers or more).

Presenting the findings at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting, Dr. Timothy Cannon, an oncologist at the Institute, stated that

• Nearly 50 per cent of the participants in the study had polyps, which can become cancerous,
• 15 per cent had advanced adenomas (noncancerous tumor) which are likely to become cancerous.

Also read:Colorectal Cancer: UK Surgeon Warns Of 5 Silent Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Almost always, colon cancers start as small growths called polyps or precancerous lesions on the inner lining of the colon or rectum.

Moreover, the study found that the rate of advanced adenomas nearly tripled among the marathon runners, compared to the general population, at 4.5 -6 per cent.

How Does Ultra-running Spike Chance Of Developing Colon Cancer?

In general, running and other forms of exercise are known to reduce the risk of developing colon and other cancers. At the same time, exercise-induced gastrointestinal injury is also believed to be associated with reduced blood flow to the intestines during long-distance running.

Notably, to date there is no evidence that definitively shows running causes polyps.

The new study presents a correlation — an increasing relationship between long-distance running and advanced adenomas. It does not prove that running directly causes the adenomas.

Read More: Europe Sees Record Surge In Gonorrhea, Syphilis Cases In Over A Decade, Says ECDC

The new results suggest that “intensive long-distance running is a risk factor for advanced adenomas of the colon", said Dr. Timothy, in the paper. The team also called for "refining screening strategies" for marathon runners.

It is because runners put their bodies through a lot, which can raise the risk of chronic inflammation, enabling cancerous cells to grow.

Their high-caloric foods for immediate energy can slow down digestion and impact your overall colon health.

What is Colorectal Cancer

The American Cancer Society notes that colorectal cancer is a cancer that starts in the colon or the rectum. Colorectal cancer impacts around 1.9 million people every year, noted the World Health Organization (WHO) as per its 2022 data.

It is a disease of the large bowel and a type of cancer that originates from the rectum or colon. A person's colon, cecum, rectum, and anus make up the large intestine.

According to experts, if you are above 45 years of age or have high-risk factors, you need to take the initiative to be screened, as the symptoms appear late, impacting treatment outcomes.

The common red flags for colorectal cancer include:

• rectal bleeding,
• persistent abdominal discomfort,
• pain,
• a noticeable change in bowel habits.

What starts as a mild soreness after exercise is often ignored as simply another part of living an active lifestyle. Many people keep working out, thinking that the pain will subside with rest. But when pain keeps coming back or gets worse, it may be a sign of tendonitis - a common condition of inflammation or irritation of a tendon.

With increasing focus on fitness, gym workouts, running, and high-intensity exercises, tendon-related injuries are becoming more common. At the same time, sedentary lifestyles, poor posture, and repetitive strain from gadgets and laptops are also contributing to the problem.

What Is Tendonitis?

Acute injury to any tendon due to repeated movement results in tendinitis and causes pain and inflammation, but when this injury is ignored and no rest is taken, they progress to tendinosis.

In tendinosis, the cause of pain is not acute inflammation, so anti-inflammatory medicine is of no use. So our focus is to repair, replace, or debride scar tissue. This is an entirely different approach from treating tendinitis.

Early signs

One of the biggest challenges with tendonitis is that its early symptoms are frequently dismissed. Many people continue exercising despite the discomfort, believing “pushing through the pain” is part of staying fit. Unfortunately, this often worsens the condition.

Some common signs include:

• Pain during or after physical activity
• Tenderness around a joint
• Mild swelling or stiffness
• Weakness in the affected area
• Pain that improves with rest but returns with activity

Why Ignoring Can Make It Worse?

Prolonged vigorous physical activity despite continued pain can put more stress on the tendon and exacerbate inflammation. Repeated strain, over time, can cause tendon degeneration or even tendon tears, which may take a lot longer to repair.

Athletes, fitness enthusiasts, office workers, and people whose work involves repetitive motions are the most at risk. Poor warm-up, improper exercise methods, lack of recovery time between sessions, and time during rehabilitation can also increase the risk.

How Can It Be Treated?

Early treatment commonly focuses on reducing strain and inflammation. Symptoms are often relieved through rest, ice application, physiotherapy, stretching exercises, and posture correction. Depending on the severity of the condition, supportive braces or activity modification to reduce stress on the affected tendon may be recommended.

In more severe or long-standing cases where conservative treatment does not provide relief, advanced interventions such as steroid injections, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, or minimally invasive surgical procedures may be considered to repair damaged tendons and restore movement. Since tendons heal more slowly than muscles due to limited blood supply, recovery often takes time and patience.

Finally, USG-guided percutaneous tenotomy is done if every other treatment fails.

Not every post-workout ache is innocuous. That pain that repeatedly comes back, worsens over time, or curtails movement should not be ignored. Getting medical advice early can prevent long-term damage so that people can return to their regular activities without excessive chronic pain.