Does sex improve your sporting prowess?

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His scientific evidence, from a professor at the University of Cape Town, suggested that sex increases testosterone levels and thus improves strength, energy, aggression and competitiveness.

Footballers, conversely, are often told not to have sex before a match and Fabio Capello plans to limit access to the Wags in South Africa next year.

So who is right? I went to Battersea Park to ask the cyclists, runners, rugby, hockey and football players whether they believe sex improves their sporting prowess.

YES
Sarah, 22, teacher

If you've had sex in the morning before you go out to play you feel happy and content when you're walking down to the pitch and ready to go.

YES
Ed, 26, investment management analyst

Sex is exercise anyway, so if you're exercising by having sex then it will improve your ability playing sport.

YES
Joe, 35, sales

Sex makes you more relaxed and gives you more endurance. You feel better, which makes you better prepared for exercise.

YES
Jack, 27, assistant producer

Sports such as rugby involve a lot of aggression which you get from testosterone. So if you have quite vigorous sex, then it increases your testosterone and is practice for the rugby field.

NO
Rachel, 22, gap-year student

If you have had sex the night before playing sport and you haven't had much sleep as a consequence, then definitely not.

NO
David, 33, retail manager

Actually, it's sport that improves your sex life because the healthier you feel from exercise the better you can perform in the bedroom.

NO
Brendan, 33, IT consultant

It's probably the other way round. Sport builds up your stamina, and you feel better afterwards when you get home. You usually feel lazy after sex.

YES
Kate, 26, journalist

I don't think it would be detrimental. Regular sex helps with stamina-building and general health and that would help with your sport.