BACKGROUND: Obesity and inactivity have led to an increasing number of individuals with sexualdysfunctions (43% of women; 31% of men). Small bouts of exercise can drastically improve ...
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BACKGROUND: Obesity and inactivity have led to an increasing number of individuals with sexualdysfunctions (43% of women; 31% of men). Small bouts of exercise can drastically improve sexualfunctioning. Thus, the present study is designed to examine the effects of physical fitness andself‑concept on sexual functioning.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fitness assessments and questionnaires were administered to 133participants between the ages of 18 and 50 years. Physical fitness was assessed through bodycomposition, cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, and muscular endurance. Self‑conceptwas presented as a total self‑concept score and as six individual concepts of self. Sexualfunction was presented as both an aggregate score and five separate constructs of sexualfunctioning – fantasy/cognition, arousal, orgasm, behavior/experience, and drive/desire.RESULTS: The results indicated that sexual behavior/experience was predicted by body fatpercentage. In men, fantasy was related to total self‑concept; sexual behavior/experience was relatedto likeability. In women, arousal was predicted by cardiovascular endurance. Total self‑concept wasrelated to both orgasm and sex drive/desire. Power and muscular strength were significantly relatedto number of sexual partners in women but not men.CONCLUSIONS: The present study adds to the growing body of evidence indicating a positiverelationship between physical fitness and sexual health. Individuals with sexual dysfunctions,particularly women, who are not persuaded by the currently publicized benefits of physical activity,may be inclined to exercise to improve sexual functioning.