The National Union of Students says university fees and a competitive job market are behind the rise.

For thousands of years, sexual abstinence (and the resulting frustration) has been thought to boost performance and aggression. Both Muhammed Ali and Mike Tyson supposedly swore off sex in the weeks leading up to fights. And there’s that infamous scene in Rocky when Mick tells Rock to “lay off that pet shop dame” because “women weaken legs”.

But even though you’ve probably heard that abstinence boosts performance before a competition, this idea has always had its detractors. Professional wrestler Ronda Rousey, for instance, famously said she has “as much sex as possible” before a fight.

Read more: What she wants in bed that will make sex better for you too

So who’s right?

Well, a new study weighs in on Rousey’s side of the debate. Sex before competition or a big workout isn’t just verboten – it may actually boost your performance.

In the study, researchers asked a group of 12 men to perform lower body exercises the morning after they’d either had sex or had taken a night off from sexual activity.

“This night-before design was to mimic the time-frame that some athletes may face,” says Todd Astorino, co-author of the study and a professor of kinesiology at California State University, San Marcos.

Read more: This is what a dental dam is, and it’s not for your teeth

Astorino and his colleagues found that sex had no effect on the men’s ability to perform the weight training movements. During five sets of two lower-body exercises, both peak and average performance held steady regardless of whether a man had had sex the night before.

While the study was admittedly very small, “our data would suggest that sex does not impair muscle force when performed within 12 hours of a gym workout,” Astorino says. But there’s a caveat, he adds, “At the world-class level, athletes win and lose by very small margins.”

Whether or not sex could subtly influence a competitor’s performance is a difficult nail to hammer down. (Pun intended.)

Read more: Should you sleep together on the first date?

Additional research on the subject of pre-competition sex sheds a little more light on the debate.

“There are thoughts that testosterone levels may change before and after sex, and this can alter things like mood as well as performance,” Astorino says.

Abstain for more gains?

One 2003 study from China, for instance, found that a man’s testosterone levels remain relatively steady in the days after an ejaculation. But if he can hold out for a full week, his T levels can jump by almost 45% on his seventh day of abstinence. (Testosterone levels do not, however, continue to climb after that day-seven peak, the authors of that study say.)

Meanwhile, a similar study found no such jump in T among men who abstained, and in fact found testosterone tends to be slightly elevated after sex.

As if mixed results like those weren’t frustrating enough, experts also point out that every sport is different. A comprehensive 2016 review of all the existing studies on sex and athletic performance found a lot of conflicting data and a general lack of evidence on performance in the context of different types of competition. “Given the variety of sports, and their different metabolic and situational differences, generalisation is not possible,” the authors of that review say.

Read more: 9 best unsimulated sex scenes in Hollywood movies

What to make of all this? Whatever you want. It doesn’t seem to matter much whether an athlete gets it on before competition – as long as he doesn’t have extremely strenuous sex right before a match.

So if you feel like sex relaxes you and helps you focus during competition, feel free to get busy. Or if you think abstaining helps you stay aggressive, go ahead and skip sex. There’s not enough evidence today to suggest switching up your pre-game routines.

^{This article was originally published on www.mh.co.za}

^{Image credit: iStock} 

Markham Heid

The nightly dinner battles many parents have with picky toddlers can be exhausting. Now, research suggests that either pressuring or rewarding kids to eat healthier may backfire.

“These practices can reinforce fussy eating, increase preferences for unhealthy foods, and lead to excessive weight gain,” study author Holly Harris, from the Centre for Children’s Health Research at Queensland University of Technology in Australia, said in a statement.

“Parents who address picky eating either with coercion or bribes may be setting the child up for problems down the road,” said Dr Michael Grosso. He’s chair of paediatrics at Northwell Health Huntington Hospital in New York.

In the study, the scientists followed more than 200 mothers and fathers. Their kids were between the ages of two and five, and the families came from a poor area of Queensland.

Eating habits

Parents answered questions about themselves, their children, their children’s eating habits, how they responded to their child’s eating patterns, and whether or not they were worried about how their child ate.

Mothers and fathers seemed to agree on whether or not a child was a fussy eater. But mothers worried more about their child’s eating behaviour, and they were more distressed by crying, tantrums and gagging.

The researchers suspect the mother’s extra concern may be why mothers were more likely to try to bribe or pressure a child into eating. Dads also tried to pressure their kids into eating. But the researchers said it wasn’t due to concern about the child’s fussy eating. Instead, the researchers believe fathers may be simply trying to shorten eating struggles.

So what can parents do to ease those mealtime showdowns?

Grosso and psychologist Judy Malinowski weighed in, and both agreed it’s very important for parents to understand what’s normal for their child’s development.

“Children go through numerous stages of development, and part of that involves a changing sense of taste. What they liked last week, they might not like this week, and it can be because of the texture, colour or smell of a food,” Malinowski explained. She’s from Ascension Eastwood Behavioral Health in Novi, Michigan.

Grosso said the biggest problem he sees with eating is that parents think children are eating too little food. But young children don’t need a lot of food.

Power struggles

“Most children will self-regulate their food intake appropriately,” he said, adding that he often reassures parents by showing them their child is right where he or she should be on growth charts.

The next big issue, Grosso said, is power struggles. “Toddlers are all about establishing their own sphere of autonomy, and of the few things toddlers can control is what they eat. If parents try to be too restrictive, kids will react,” he said.

Both experts said the key is to offer choices. Grosso suggested only offering healthy choices, because “given the choice between healthy and unhealthy, kids will eat candy bars before carrots.”

He also recommended that children get age-appropriate servings of milk. “Kids do need calcium and vitamin D, but they shouldn’t get most of their calories from one source,” Grosso said.

Malinowski advised involving kids in cooking meals when possible. She also suggested giving choices, such as, “Do you want this food or that one?” or “Do you want a little or a lot?”

Praise kids for trying new foods and for eating what was on their plate, Malinowski said. “But don’t punish or bribe for anything around food. This sets up the idea that one food is better than the other,” she said.

And the good news is that most kids outgrow the fussy-about-food stage, or at least their pickiness tends to lessen as they get older, Grosso said.

The findings were published recently in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior.

^{Image credit: iStock}

Life isn’t always sugar, spice and all things nice, although it might seem that way for someone with a sweet tooth and a love for junk food. Someone like Daniel Moxham – or at least, the former version of the man.

The 25-year-old from Joburg took a turn for the better after winning a Facebook competition for a month’s free gym membership. He went from chubby to champ in less than a year. This is his story.

The problem

“Being taller than your average guy, I was always told that I carried my weight well. Even at school, my height covered my weight, making it look less. After high school I barely did any sporting activity, allowing the kilos to pile on.”

The lesson: Make sure you keep active and eat right, regardless of whether you “carry your weight well” or not. Find the balance between a good diet and regular exercise.

The change

“One day I bent down to tie my shoes, and realised that I couldn’t reach the laces. At that exact moment I realised that I’d completely lost my way. I had to make a lifestyle change now, while I was still at the tender age of 24. Having people to push me in the right direction and constantly motivate me – along with a personalised eating plan – was the perfect formula that I needed to build a new me.”

The lesson: Even though hiding in bigger clothes is an option, your body will always have the final say. So when Daniel struggled to bend down, or sleep well, it was a sign that he needed to take charge.

The strategy

“I joined a gym, and went on regular runs, but after two weeks, I lost all motivation. Then I came across Evolution Boxing & Fitness Gym, which offered me the free trial. With a mix of cardio, boxing and weight training, and the guidance of my coach, Evolution became my second home. I trained at least six times a week, and followed my eating plan strictly. Discipline became my greatest ally.”

The lesson: Surround yourself with supportive people. A small gym that focuses on teamwork and the concept of family will ease you into your new lifestyle, and help eliminate your doubts.

The result

“Instead of being obsessed with fizzy drinks and takeaways, I’m now addicted to training. After 11 months of giving my all and taking on different obstacles along the way, I’ve never felt this good. I remember back in high school, I couldn’t do a push-up – now I can do 30 in under a minute. Looking back, I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished, and I can’t wait for what comes next.”

The lesson: A fit mentality is the best sign of progress. Being fitter and stronger doesn’t only allow you to feel better on the outside; it builds your confidence in your daily life. You’ll feel great everywhere!

^{This article was originally published onwww.mh.co.za}

^{Image credit: Garreth Barclay}

A while back, Buzzfeed News published a story called This Is How Therapists Treat Young Men With Porn-Induced Erectile Dysfunction. The article shared the stories of two men who claim that their addiction to pornography rendered them unable to achieve an erection.

Read more: 8 ways to protect your erection

These anecdotes were paired with the quotes of the sexologists and therapists who supported their claim by citing porn-inducted erectile dysfunction as the culprit, or “the inability to get or maintain an erection during sexual activity because of a high exposure to pornography”.

Sounds pretty scary, right?

Most men watch porn, so the thought of missing out on a lifetime of potential sex because you watched too many X-rated movies would, understandably, be a pretty terrifying prospect.

Not so clear-cut

But this isn’t the first time we’ve heard of the “porn causes erectile dysfunction” claim. In fact, preliminary research presented at the American Urological Association‘s most recent annual meeting presented that very idea – and as it turns out, that wasn’t as clear-cut as some news outlets made it out to be, either.

Read more: How to last longer in bed

We were a bit hesitant to pin the experiences of just two men on the entirety of guys who watch porn, so we talked to two sex researchers with PhDs to get more details on whether your X-rated habit can cause serious problems with your sex life.

The verdict? There’s no scientific evidence that supports the idea of “porn-induced erectile dysfunction”.

“There are three laboratory studies that have shown sex film viewing is unrelated to erectile functioning,” said Dr Nicole Prause, founder of Liberos, a sex research and biotechnology company in Los Angeles.

“No study has ever linked the two. The therapists are literally manufacturing the idea that these are connected in their patients,” she says.

Read more: 15 embarrassing penis questions answered

In fact, the problem may come down to the act of masturbation, rather than watching porn.

“In my clinical experience I do not find porn to be a direct cause of [erectile disorder, premature ejaculation, and delayed ejaculation]” explains Dr Ian Kerner, a licensed psychotherapist and sexuality counsellor.

Specific type of stimulus

A more likely direct cause might be an idiosyncratic masturbatory style, meaning you masturbate with a type of pressure and friction that is not easy to replicate during sex, so you might have trouble getting hard or reaching orgasm with your partner. “This would be a masturbation issue, not a porn issue, and is somewhat easily resolved,” Dr Kerner says.

So when you watch porn – and consistently reach orgasm through a specific type of masturbation – you might actually get conditioned to a specific type of stimulus, Dr Tobias Kohler recently told Men’s Health. That means when you go to get it on with your partner, you may not be recreating that specific type of stimulus, which can cause issues in bed.

Read more: The truth about your masturbation habit

Granted, porn can give you unrealistic expectations about sex, which in turn leads to anxiety, says Dr Kerner. Echoing Dr Prause, he explains that “anxiety and boredom are the root issues, but porn often gets blamed.”

“I have not seen any good studies to show that porn somehow rewires the male brain to lead to sexual dysfunction,” he emphasises.

More concrete research needed

If you do feel like watching porn is interfering with your ability to perform in bed, and you’re truly bothered by that, check in with your urologist to make sure an underlying medical condition – like diabetes, heart problems or even a specific type of medication – isn’t to blame. Talking to a sex therapist can also help. For some guys, especially those who feel porn interferes with their morals, porn can have negative effects.

Read more: What your penis is telling you

Bottom line: Watching porn affects every guy differently – but more concrete research needs to be done before it can be linked to erectile dysfunction. Until then, take the time to read up on how porn actually affects your sex life.

^{Additional reporting by Alisa Hrustic.}

^{This article was originally published onwww.mh.co.za}

^{Image credit: iStock}

You can stage a coup on kilojoules and lose weight without ruining your life or eating a single rice cake: Just follow this simple advice. You might even be surprised by how easy (and delicious) some of these tips are to follow.

1. Always eat a big breakfast

No more Fruit Loops – you want some protein and fat. Scrambled eggs and a few sausage links will keep you fuller longer than an airy doughnut will. Try our Pizza Eggs recipe for a tasty take on a breakfast staple.

Read more: Here’s what you missed at the masterclass with Bertus Basson

2. Eat more!

We’re talking three good snacks and three healthy meals. But what do you serve during the rugby game if you can’t have chips and dip? Mixed nuts – especially almonds – will satisfy your craving for something crunchy while helping to build muscle.

3. Just say no to starches

Foods like pasta, white bread and potatoes make you fat. If you must have pasta, make yours whole wheat. Same goes for bread, and swap white potatoes for sweet potatoes. Just don’t eat too much!

Read more: 11 foods that will speed up your metabolism

4. Lift weights

Yes, you have to hit the gym, and no, lifting beer cans during happy hour doesn’t count. The muscles you build will not only improve your performance, they’ll stoke your metabolism so you burn kilojoules long after your workout is over.

5. Think before you eat

Don’t just stuff your face with the stale cookies left over from the holidays, eat what tastes good and what’s good for you. Take your time eating; you’ll stay fuller for longer.

6. But have fun once in a while – or once a week

Stifle those cravings for too long, and you’ll be miserable and might fall off your new plan forever. Just splurge reasonably – two slices of pizza, not the whole thing.

Read more: Healthy tasty alternatives for your favourite guilty pleasures

7. Go low-carb

It’s the easiest way to drop weight fast. The cravings are hard at first, but it gets easier – especially when you see the results.

Read more: Eat this high-calorie food at least once a week to stay lean

8. Run intervals

It’s easier to alternate between hard and easy running instead of going for a long run – especially if you don’t like running. Plus, you’ll be done faster and burn more fat. Break your speed limits by boosting your speed with intervals. You’ll not only get faster, but your gut will flatten in no time.

9. Never, ever drink sweetened soda

But go ahead, have a glass of wine now and then. Low-carb beer is fine, too, in moderation.

Read more: Social drinking: Does alcohol really make us more social?

10. Don’t fear fat

It makes you feel full, helps control your appetite and your body needs it. Of course, some fats are good while others are bad.

^{This article was originally published onwww.mh.co.za} 

^{Image credit: iStock}

With millions of pain-plagued Americans looking for an alternative to opioids, the solution for some might be no medicine at all.

New research suggests that a good many back pain patients might find relief in a “dummy” sugar pill, eliminating their need for strong medication.

About half the chronic back pain patients in a new study saw the intensity of their pain drop roughly 30% after taking a placebo, or dummy pill. That’s about as much pain relief as they would get taking standard painkillers, according to Northwestern University researchers.

What’s more, a patient’s brain anatomy and psychological makeup can help doctors predict who will react well to a sugar pill, the researchers said.

Additional evidence

“The standard classic idea has been that placebo response is not predictable – that some subjects may respond at one time, but then not respond in a second exposure,” explained study author A. Vania Apkarian. “This study rigorously dispels this notion.”

Apkarian is a professor of anaesthesia, physical medicine and rehabilitation at Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine.

The findings were published in the Nature Communications journal.

The “placebo effect” has fascinated scientists for ages. This new study provides “additional evidence that placebos may play an important role in helping some patients reduce pain and improve function,” said Dr. Mark Bicket, a pain management specialist at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore.

“While placebo pills may not be for everyone, certain patients may respond particularly well to this type of treatment,” Bicket said. “A 30% reduction in a person’s pain is a meaningful reduction, based on past studies.”

With this level of pain reduction, many patients can be more active and take fewer medications, including opioids, said Bicket, who wasn’t involved in the study.

Better than no treatment

For the study, investigators randomly divided about 60 chronic back pain patients into two test groups. One group was treated with either a sugar pill or a non-opioid pain medication like Aleve; none knew which treatment they received. A second group saw a physician, but got no treatment.

Over eight weeks, daily pain ratings showed that patients getting placebo pills had stronger pain reduction and a higher response rate compared to those getting no treatment. The study did not compare results between the placebo and medication users.

Brain scans revealed that placebo-receptive patients had similar brain anatomies.

Apkarian said they tended to have asymmetrical “emotional brain” areas in the “subcortical limbic” region. This meant that the area’s right side was larger than the left. Scans also showed that placebo responders had a larger so-called “cortical sensory area” than non-responders.

No drug-related side effects

Psychological testing found the placebo effect much more prevalent among patients “who are more aware of their body and emotions, and how well they can either focus or distract themselves from these sensations,” Apkarian said.

The upshot is that some back pain patients appear to be “hard-wired” to respond to a sugar pill or similar type of placebo “treatment” in the absence of any true medicinal intervention, he said.

That means they will reap the placebo benefit – without any drug-related side effects – even if they are told they are getting nothing but a sugar pill.

It’s not known whether this model will work for other types of pain. “We suspect [placebo treatment] may need to be somewhat adjusted for other clinical chronic pain types,” Apkarian said.

Bicket added that patients interested in placebo pills should ask their doctor whether this treatment might be appropriate for their particular case.

^{Image credit: iStock} 

What are some of the dangers of supplements and how beneficial are they for our health?

Imagine a daily commute that’s orderly instead of chaotic. Connected and automated vehicles could provide that relief by adjusting to driving conditions with little to no input from drivers. When the car in front of you speeds up, yours would accelerate, and when the car in front of you screeches to a halt, your car would stop, too.

In the basement of the Gates Computer Science Building at Stanford University, a screen attached to a red robotic arm lights up. A pair of cartoon eyes blinks. “Meet Bender,” says Ajay Mandlekar, PhD student in electrical engineering.