By Stewart Tongue

YNOT – Drooling over porn stars may be beneficial for some men. According to a new scientific study, male weightlifters can lift heavier objects after watching erotic videos, and researchers speculate the increase in strength is due to changes in salivary testosterone concentrations spurred by autonomic responses to short sexual video clips.

As originally reported by Discover magazine, the study found “significant increases in testosterone concentrations were noted with watching the erotic, humorous, aggressive and training videos [versus a control group containing nondescript and sad film clips], with testosterone decreasing significantly [versus control] after the sad clip…. In conclusion, different video clips were associated with different changes in salivary free hormone concentrations, and the relative changes in testosterone closely mapped 3RM squat performance in a group of highly trained males. Thus, speculatively, using short video presentations in the pre-workout environment offers an opportunity for understanding the outcomes of hormonal change, athlete behavior and subsequent voluntary performance.”

While the citations of source material are somewhat thin, the new report is only the most recent in a string of reports opining that viewing sexual content may improve athletic performance. CNN quoted former football player Antonio Miguel, head of medical services for one of the top soccer clubs in Mexico’s first division, saying the myth that sex before competing decreases performance has been debunked.

Juan Carlos Medina, general coordinator of the sports department at Tecnologico de Monterrey, a university, also has stated on the record his belief that sex can avert mental fatigue and restore confidence.

“It helps you feel relaxed and sexually, mentally and physically satisfied,” he said.

While conclusions in this new field of study need to be replicated before they’re considered proved, the growing speculation that sex or watching porn videos improves athletic performance eventually may dismiss the traditional caveat that men who must perform at the top of their game should refrain from sexual activity beforehand.