You must have heard the saying, ‘sex is the best form of exercising’. This might be so according to deductions from experts.
Sex (shagging) increases our heart rate, breathing and blood pressure in the same way as exercise, according to Curtin University’s Kevin Netto, an associate professor of physiotherapy and exercise science.
“A study showed sexual activity elicits a moderate level of physical stress – up to 75 percent of maximal exercise,” he said.
“A study of young Canadian heterosexual couples showed a bout of sexual activity was akin to moderate physical activity (such as brisk walking) when energy expenditure was measured.”
Sexologist Isiah McKimmie says sex is fantastic for our general health and maybe even longevity.
“Sex can also help boost the immune system, mood and productivity,” she averred.
“It can help improve sleep, due to the release of stress and endorphins. Regular sexual activity has been shown to lower our risk or heart attack and stroke and men’s chance of developing prostate cancer.”
But that’s not to say you can skip the gym and answer “heaps of shagging” to anyone who asks what you do to keep fit.
Fact is, we don’t tend to be “working” at high intensity for the whole time we have sex – anywhere from 6 minutes to 33 minutes depending on the study – like we would a workout.
One study found that men burn about four calories a minute during sex, which is about half of what you would burn jogging.
“For most of us, sex isn’t sustained long enough nor occurs frequently enough for a true physiological change to happen in the long term,” Netto explains.
In fact, exercising probably helps you have better sex.
“Research into pelvic floor exercises in women with pelvic pain, for instance, has shown they improve sexual function. Women reported increased control, confidence, heightened sensation and less pain,” Netto says.
“While in men, exercises that train the perineal muscles in front of the anus help with premature ejaculation.”
McKimmie says that sex itself can also strengthen a woman’s pelvic floor muscles, and it has mental health benefits.
“It has been shown to lower depression and anxiety and reduce stress,” she says.
“Sex can also help us feel more bonded and connected to a partner, increasing our feeling of happiness and well being. Regular sex can also boost self-confidence according to academic studies.”
So the moral of the story is to do both.
“Sex isn’t a replacement for regular exercise – sex and exercise are mutually beneficial,” McKimmie says.
“Regular exercise can boost your sex drive and regular sex can help improve your overall health.”
