Linking Sexual Satisfaction and Exercise - Research Paper Example

Linking Sexual Satisfaction and Exercise The paper goes forward to review three articles that touch on the topic of sexual satisfaction, sexual desirability, and sexual performance and how they link to body image and exercise. These topics are of significance in our current society as they touch on each and every individual. Hopefully, the review will shade some light and even provide more knowledge to the reader concerning the topics mentioned above. Sexual Desirability and Sexual Performance: Do Exercise and Fitness Really Matter? Introduction. In the introduction to the article, there is lots of information concerning the psychological and physical benefits associated with exercise, since there has been extensive research about this topic. Unfortunately, this is not the case when it comes to the linkage between exercise, sexual performance, and sexual desirability. He goes further to talk about research findings talking about exercise increasing sexual activity, sexual satisfaction, and sexual drive. Individual researchers talk about the benefits of short but intense exercise as opposed to long exercises when it sexual desire. Other researchers have showed a positive relationship between enjoyment, frequency of sexual intercourse, and regular physical activity. Methods. The participants consisted of undergraduate students enrolled in health science courses and were 408 in number. It was conducted on a voluntary basis, and anonymity of the participants was ensured. They were to fill a cross-sectional questionnaire of 130-items. The questionnaire was able to collect information concerning demographic variables, perceived fitness, exercise frequency, the perception of sexual desirability, and sexual performance. Data analysis involve the use of SAS programs and chi-square and mainly based on gender. Results. Females were more than the males while ethnically, the Caucasian were the majority. Ninety percent of males who reported their fitness level being above average rated their sexual desirability and sexual performance as above average or more above average. In the case of females, it was indicated that there was no association between exercise frequency, sexual performance, and sexual desirability. Seventy-one percent of females who rated their fitness level being much above average had their sexual desirability above average or more above average. Significant gender differences were noted for sexual performance and sexual desirability by exercise frequency and by fitness. Discussion. From the data that was gathered and analysed it was found that higher levels of fitness and longer exercise frequency improved the perception of sexual desirability and sexual performance. The research also demonstrated that constant physical activity provides benefits to one's psychological well-being. It goes further to support the accepted notion that exercise has more benefits than just a protective factor it also enhances a person's sexual self-esteem. Body image is also important when it comes to matters of sexuality since it is perceived that looking "good" means almost similar to looking sexually attractive. A research also revealed that there was a negative relationship between high Body Mass Index (BMI) and sexual experience among college women of the United States. Conclusion. Physical fitness and exercise frequency increase energy levels and enhance attractiveness, both of which make people feel good about themselves. Those who are focused more on exercising are not only more likely to have a greater level of satisfaction but also be more fully satisfied with themselves. Those who exercise are healthier, thus are more able and willing to have sex. Regular activity may be one of the ways to modify the decline in sexual satisfaction and performance that comes about with aging. Further research needs to be done to identify additional psychological and physiological correlations of the relationship between sexuality and exercise. Predictors of Sexual Satisfaction: The Role of Body Image and Fitness Introduction. A satisfying sex life is a significant part of the overall wellness and happiness of many people. Sexuality plays a significant role in the intimate relationship, and in the overall physical and emotional health. Sexual satisfaction involves one enjoying their sexual life and it may vary according to stability, commitment, communication, partner initiation, and relationship satisfaction. The linkage of body image to interpersonal confidence, attitude, grooming activities, and eating and exercising attitudes. This linkage affects to a great degree one's sex life and sexual satisfaction. According to research, those with positive body image had higher levels of satisfaction. Recent studies have shown that body dissatisfaction in males is more about being underweight than being overweight. This perception is majorly affected by advertisements that convey an ideal image of muscularity and attractiveness that ends up depressing many males. Methods. A cross-sectional research design was used to collect data from 408 undergraduate health students who were the participants. The majority were white females. Data was collected with the aid of questionnaires that included demographic variables, the frequency of exercise, perceived physical fitness, and items used to assess sexual behaviour. Sexual satisfaction was assessed with the use of an 11-item modified Derogatis Sexual Satisfaction Scale. Body Image Self-Consciousness was assessed with the use of a thirteen-item image self-consciousness scale. Lastly, body image was examined with the use of a twenty twenty-item body image scale examining satisfaction with body processes or parts. Data was analysed using descriptive analysis and with the help of SAS. A principal component factor analysis was conducted to examine the construct validity. Results. From the analysis, it was found out that there was a correlation between sexual satisfaction and the following independent variables: concerns about partners negatively judging their bodies, concerns about being nude, the appearance of eyes and face, strength and build, and weight. The independent variables with the most significant correlation include: perceived physical fitness, frequency of exercise, weight, concerns about partner judging negatively about their bodies, and concerns about being nude. Significant findings were made from regression analysis of both the males and females. Discussion. The study identified certain body image and physical fitness variables that were more significant than other for example in the female the most important variables were: exercise frequency, fitness level and, concerns about being nude. As for males the variable were; exercise frequency, concerns about being nude, and strength and build. However, out of all those three the most important one for males is strength and build, which was not statistically significant for females. This finding goes hand in hand with prior studies about societal ideals of feminine fitness and muscularity. This could have been. Because of increased the visibility of what an ideal body must look like as portrayed by the media. Exercise frequency was also one of those statistically significant variables in both sexes. This coincides with research by Pen Hollow who documented that college students who were into exercising were likely to rate themselves higher than their counterparts who reported less frequent exercise. The variable on concerns about being nude also correlates with that of Wiederman who documented that increased self-consciousness of one's body image results in problematic sexual interactions Conclusion. Exercise is important as it not only promotes feeling better and looking good at a physical level it also provides benefits at a psychological and emotional level. Since lifestyles adopted in college stick with the people even after they are done with college, it is good to have physical active interventions activities right from the college years. Further comprehensive assessment is needed to identify and comprehend the factors that impact young adult sexual satisfaction and development. The use of body-image interventions such as physical activity programmes and cognitive-behavioural therapy into the treatment of sexual dysfunction may be of help to both females and males. Future researches should try to examine longitudinal relationships between old adult sexual functioning and earlier sexual satisfaction. Linking Exercise and Sexual Satisfaction among Healthy Adults Introduction. One of the most important factors leading to good quality of life for adults is simply sexuality because it touches on all aspects of life including emotional, biological, spiritual, sociocultural and intellectual components. Research has shown an improvement in sexual health among unhealthy individuals who suffered from dyspareunia, erectile dysfunction, obesity, or COPD as a result of increased physical activity. Little research has been done concerning the relationship between sexual performance and physical activity among a large population of healthy adults. This study added to the literature by examining the link between sexual satisfactions as a result of physical activity among healthy adults of ages 18-74. It also provided initial evidence to support the fact that exercise can be utilized as a benefit to promote the use of other healthy lifestyle characteristics. Methods. The research employed a non-experimental research design that used quantitative methods by gathering data through the administration of the online self-report survey. The data collected was then used to give a correlational and descriptive analyses regarding the relationship between sexual satisfaction and exercise. The recruitment of the participants was through the help of online social networking sites such as Twitter and, Facebook. It consisted of a total of 509 participants who completed the survey. The majority were white and female. The participants were sent to a link in their emails, and once they clicked on the link, they were redirected to a site where they were introduced to a thirty-item questionnaire. The instrument used to collect the data was an e self-report questionnaire that included demographic variables, items related to exercise and sexual satisfaction, and six items derived from the (SHF) Sexual History Form. Once the data was collected, it was analysed with the use of the SPSS software that enabled summary of the data by demographic variables and in determining the measures of central tendency. The software was also helpful in determining the relationship between sexual satisfaction and exercise. Results. It was found out that majority of the participants were satisfied with the number of orgasms they had during sexual intercourse with their partners. The majority of the participants were also satisfied with the quality of the orgasms they had during sexual activity. Concerning sexual satisfaction, the frequency was evenly distributed. Most participants had low levels of participation in physical activities including sports. Discussion. The results supported the hypothesis that sexual satisfaction was related to participation in physical activity. Findings from the study did not support the hypothesis that the degree of sexual satisfaction was higher in adults who participated in aerobic exercises as opposed to other exercises. The strongest relationship was found to be between the variable of satisfaction with the quality of orgasms and general perception in aerobic exercises. The findings were in support with previous studies that indicated that pleasure from orgasm can be enhanced through physical activity. Conclusion. Aerobic activities improve the overall cardiovascular function and reduction in illnesses. Consequently, improvement in cardiovascular function translates to improvement in blood flow to the genitalia thus leading to improved sexual satisfaction. Regardless of duration, frequency, or intensity of exercise, general participation in physical activity is related to sexual satisfaction for both women and men. Therefore, something as simple as raking leaves, or walking can potentially improve sexual satisfaction. Exercise adds to fitness and health levels, which translates to healthy sexual function thus sexual satisfaction. Conclusion The three articles provides a lot of information about the relationship between sexual functioning, sexual satisfaction, body image and exercise. The studies are conclusive in nature, but there is room for further research so that information on issues like the actual physiology behind is easily availed so that people can know what specific exercises enhance sexual satisfaction and healthy sexual functioning effectively. Read More