Heart rate behavior in young adults during physical exercise and sexual activity

Abstract

The heart rate behavior during physical activities and sexual intercourse is considered a major concern for patients after a cardiovascular event. Despite the intense physical effort being a precipitating factor for myocardial infarction and sudden death, the metabolic expenditure in daily activities is discreet and can be maintained by most patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship of heart rate at maximal exercise test in comparison with daily activities. The participant of this case study is a 36 year-old man without evidence of cardiovascular disease. The participant was submitted to an exercise test. The heart rate behavior was monitored during 14 days, with a portable frequency meter. During the 14 days, six activities were chosen: an ordinary 5 Km/h walk, a 6.5 Km/h run, recreational soccer, sexual intercourse, self-stimulation through masturbation and sleep time. As a result, the recreational soccer practice was characterized as intense and very intense effort, the sexual intercourse and the masturbation had slight increase in heart rate and the orgasm reached similar intensity to ordinary walk.