Mattress Vancouver

Orders from the top: ‘Access to girlfriends and wives will be limited to one day after each game during the World Cup.’

These are the restrictions being imposed by Fabio Capello, manager for the U.K.’s 2010 World Cup squad.

Without saying it directly, Capello has sided with an old belief that sex before sport can drain a male’s natural urge to compete. This was the position held by athletic managers back in the time of Ancient Greece.

But maybe Capello needs to get with the times. New research shows that sex before sport has no effect on performance. In fact, sex often encourages and improves sleep quality. So having sex the night before a big game might help Capello’s squad get the rest they need.

Alain Vigneault was asked about the topic during Vancouver’s short-lived playoff run last month.

A health reporter asked if players would be advised to alter or maintain their routine of training, recovery, diet, sex and other daily activities.

Vigneault’s response: “We do sex every day? I’m missing out on something!”

While Vigneault may not be interfering with the personal lives of his players on a level similar to Capello, he did go to great lengths this season to ensure that his team was receiving adequate rest. This included staying behind in away cities for an additional night, at the conclusion of a road trip. This way his players weren’t flying home on a red-eye flight and then playing a day later.

Respect your body’s natural urge to rest for eight hours every night.

And if you’re having trouble falling asleep, maybe whisper a soft message in your partner’s ear; even if you do have racquetball the next morning.

Fabio Capello - UK Football Manager