There isn't a research study out there that we won't pore over, particularly if it involves either running or sex. And if it involves both, then (woo-hoo) we're sooo there.
So take a gander at this British survey of women and men's attitudes toward the sports that the opposite sex takes up. Specifically, Richard Wiseman, chair in the Public Understanding of Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire, asked people which sporting activities would make a member of the opposite sex more attractive.
Women found male rock (mountain) climbers most attractive; men found women who do aerobics most atttractive.
Where did running rate? Some 44 percent of women said they found male runners attractive; 55 percent of men said they found women runners attractive. That ranks just slightly higher than the middle of the 15 sports examined.
To which I say, "Aerobics! Oh puhleeeze."
Sure, aerobics is a fine activity to get the old heart rate up, but those pseudo-athletes don't do a thing to quicken my pulse. Give me a fit women with a high VO2 max and great mile splits, and I'm smitten. Hey, I even find women runners in compression socks attractive. Then again, I never said I was normal.
As for the 44 percent of women who found male runners attractive (7th out of 15 sports), well, thanks for the nod.
Let's do our own unscientific survey: Compression socks: Sexy or dorky?
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