Watching erotic and aggressive video increases rugby players' performance
A new study shows that watching a 4-minute erotic or aggressive video increases testosterone levels in rugby players and thereby improve their performance. It also increases strength and physical performance levels in training sessions.
Scientists studied 12 professional rugby players carried out by UK Sport, which is helping the British Olympic squad with scientific advice.
The scientists believe that their results will be useful for coaches boost the effectiveness of training sessions.
5 different clips were shown in the study.
A clip of U.S. sitcom 'The Big Bang Theory' was used to convey 'humor', images of malnourished African children was used for 'sadness', exotic dancing conveyed 'eroticism', footage of training sessions by UFC star Brock Lesnar were classified as 'motivational', while images of rugby tackles were used for 'aggression'.
After watching the clips, the scientists used saliva samples in order to measure the players' testosterone levels. As a result, significant increases in levels of the 'feel good' hormone were identified after the players watched the erotic, humorous, aggressive and motivational videos. But when the players were watching the control video of starving children, a significant decrease was seen.
After watching the erotic and aggressive, clips players also felt that they had trained better.
Scott Drawer, the head of the study at UK Sport, said that rugby is a combative sport and putting yourself in an aggressive frame of mind is quite important to how you perform.
Drawer concluded that any video clip's effects on players can be different, it depends on the individual and the athlete.
Comments
(1)Damn, I wish I could think of somtehing smart like that!