Sexual Pleasure, Satisfaction, and Activities in Masters Track and Field Athletes

Authors

Natalie McLaurin, The University of Texas at AustinFollow
Lin-Sheng Chen, The University of Texas at AustinFollow
Tianyu Wang, The University of Texas at AustinFollow
Jonas Boecker, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace CenterFollow
Jakub Adamczyk, Jozef Pilsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw; Medical University of Warsaw, PolandFollow
Jacek Zielinski, Poznan University of Physical EducationFollow
Krzysztof Kusy, Poznan University of Physical EducationFollow
Joern Rittweger, 2Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center 3Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Activity, Warsaw, PolandFollow
Hirofumi Tanaka, The University of Texas at AustinFollow

Abstract

Sexual function is an important factor for quality of life and has been shown to decrease with aging but increase with exercise training. Masters athletes (MA) demonstrate substantial physical function, reduced disease risks, and enhanced mental outlook, compared with the general population (GP), in spite of their chronological age. Currently, it is unknown whether MA who engage in strenuous exercise on a regular basis possess greater sexuality than their predominantly sedentary peers. PURPOSE: To compare sexual history, desire, and satisfaction in male and female MA with the GP. METHODS: A 52-item survey that evaluated sexual function and history was distributed at the 2023 World Masters Athletics Championships in Poland. A total of 104 masters track and field athletes (41% women, aged 59±11 years) completed the survey, and responses were compared with responses from an American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) dataset (53% women, aged 60±10 years). Age-graded sports performance was calculated based on each athlete’s competition results. RESULTS: Sexual satisfaction was high and greater in MA than in the GP (3.7 vs 3.4, p=0.02). Engagements in sexual activities, including kissing, sexual touching, intercourse, and self-stimulation, were more frequent in MA than in the GP (all pCONCLUSION: Sexual pleasure, satisfaction, and activity are high and substantially greater among masters athletes than the general public.

Recommended Citation

McLaurin, Natalie; Chen, Lin-Sheng; Wang, Tianyu; Boecker, Jonas; Adamczyk, Jakub; Zielinski, Jacek; Kusy, Krzysztof; Rittweger, Joern; and Tanaka, Hirofumi (2025) "Sexual Pleasure, Satisfaction, and Activities in Masters Track and Field Athletes," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2: Iss. 17, Article 173.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol2/iss17/173