Gambling site betfair.com is sponsoring a new survey being conducted by Loughborough University in England. What are they trying to find? They are looking to see if placing bets on soccer, or football as its known in England, has an effect on a person's heart rate, and if it ends up being more exciting than having sex!

According to Ron Maughan, a professor at Loughborough, The heart rates that we have recorded throughout the first stage of the study are in line with those experienced by an individual reaching sexual climax, and in some cases greater than that.

The duration of the study will depend on how long England remains in the World Cup. While its happening, it will measure the levels of stress and/or excitement English fans experience during the game.

Betfair.com gave 100 pounds to each of the 100 participating fans, and half of them were required to bet.The results so far show that betting on the World Cup can actually be more exciting than having sex, at least when it comes to heart rate.

In a statement, Maughan said, "We knew that football fans were passionate about their team, but these results really prove that for some football is better than sex. When you combine supporting your team with backing then financially, the level of excitement gets even greater."

The study's participants have to wear heart rate monitors, fill out a questionnaire before the game, during halftime, and after the game, and also give saliva samples so their cortisol levels could be measured.

The American Heart Association has said that a persons heart rate ranges from 90 to 145 beats per minute, or b.p.m, during an orgasm, and the average peak is 115 b.p.m. Those participating in the study were found to have an average rate of 120 b.p.m.

On average, a heart at rest beats 70 times each minute.