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Sex & Sleep in Athletes

Sex and Sleep: Perception of Sex as a Possible Factor for Sleep Promotion in a Population of Athletes

Status
Completed
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Observational
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04272853
Acronym
Sex&Sleep
Enrollment
164
Registered
2020-02-17
Start date
2020-02-13
Completion date
2022-12-12
Last updated
2025-04-18

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Sexual Behavior, Sleep, Sport Injury

Keywords

Athlete, Exercise, Training Load

Brief summary

Achieving the correct quantity and quality of sleep is essential for the health and recovery processes of the athlete; night rest is often negatively influenced by many variables, including: high training loads, long-range trips, evening competitions, and / or high levels of anxiety and stress. High training loads can therefore have negative influences both on sleep but also on the risk of injury in athletes. Understanding and studying, in different sports, how sexual / masturbatory activity can influence sleep has primary importance for athletic and medical staff of athletes with the ultimate aim of preserving sports performance and reducing the risk of injuries. The primary objective of this experimentation is to explore the perceived relationship between sexual activity (or masturbation), sleep quality and sleep latency in a population of athletes.

Detailed description

Achieving the correct quantity and quality of sleep is essential for the health and recovery processes of the athlete; night rest is often negatively influenced by many variables, including: high training loads, long-range trips, evening competitions, and / or high levels of anxiety and stress. High training loads can therefore have negative influences both on sleep but also on the risk of injury in athletes. Understanding and studying, in different sports, how sexual / masturbatory activity can influence sleep has primary importance for athletic and medical staff of athletes with the ultimate aim of preserving sports performance and reducing the risk of injuries. The primary objective of this experimentation is to explore the perceived relationship between sexual activity (or masturbation), sleep quality and sleep latency in a population of athletes. To achieve this goal, the subjects will compile an interview, concerning: demographic data, sports practice, sleep habits, sexual habits, perception of the relationship between sexual habits and sleep, perception of the relationship between sexual habits and sport. In addition, data will be collected regarding honesty and embarrassment in completing the interview. Secondary study aims are: 1. Evaluate the possible differences in the perceived relationship between sexual activity and sleep quality / latency in relation to the gender of the athletes. 2. Evaluate the possible differences in the perceived relationship between sexual activity and sleep quality / latency in different sports disciplines. 3. Evaluate the differences in the perceived relationship between sexual activity and sleep quality / latency in professional and non-professional athletes. 4. Evaluate the differences in habits concerning night rest between individual and team sports athletes. 5. Evaluate the honesty and embarrassment rate when completing the interview.

Interventions

OTHERInterview

Compilation of the interview concerning: demographic data, sports practice, habits on sleep, sexual habits, perception of the relationship between sexual habits and sleep, perception of the relationship between sexual habits and sports practice.

Sponsors

I.R.C.C.S Ospedale Galeazzi-Sant'Ambrogio
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 40 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

1. Male or female sex, of any ethnicity; 2. Age between 18 and 40; 3. Cognitively intact; 4. Amateur or professional athletes; 5. Practicing any type of sport for at least 6 years, for at least 4 hours a week. 6. Members with one of the sports federations of Lombardy, officially recognized by CONI. 7. Signature and acceptance of informed consent to collaborate in all the procedures necessary for the study.

Exclusion criteria

1. Subjects under 18; 2. Shift or part-time worker; 3. Use of drugs and / or supplements able to influence sleep (eg: melatonin); 4. Any clinical condition (eg: musculoskeletal injury), diagnosed by a sports doctor or orthopedist, which does not guarantee the athlete to train; 5. Active smoke; 6. Non-acceptance of informed consent.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Perception of the relationship between sexual habits and sleephrough study completion, an average of 1 yearThe perception is assessed by the interview and is expressed in improved or equal to or decreased compared to normal sleep routines

Countries

Italy

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026