Napoli’s team medical staff has asked its players to abstain from sex for up to two days before a game to prevent injuries.
“Avoiding sexual activity for two days before a game isfundamental to prevent muscular strains, contractions or inflammations,” Professor Alfonso De Nicola told Corriere del Mezzogiorno. “It is the rule for our squad. There is alsoa specific work done by my staff and the fitness coaches which is aimed more at prevention than cure.”
The girlfriend of AC Milan midfielder Kevin Prince-Boteng claimedearlier this year that his thigh injury was a result of having “sex seven to 10 times a week.”
The move by Napoli is the latest in an age-old debate on the relationship between sex andathletic competition. Some suggest sex before competition may improve performance.
Napoli officials did not reveal how the rule would be enforced,.