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:
- Evaluate the possible differences in the perceived relationship between sexual activity and sleep quality / latency in relation to the gender of the athletes.
- Evaluate the possible differences in the perceived relationship between sexual activity and sleep quality / latency in different sports disciplines.
- Evaluate the differences in the perceived relationship between sexual activity and sleep quality / latency in professional and non-professional athletes.
- Evaluate the differences in habits concerning night rest between individual and team sports athletes.
- Evaluate the honesty and embarrassment rate when completing the interview.
