Kirsten has a new mantra for Team India

A secret four-part document detailing the benefits of sex, and put together by India cricket coach Gary Kirsten and mental conditioning expert Paddy Upton, has been handed over to members of the Indian cricket team.

This is no prank, but merely a way to boost their on-field performance, the Hindustan Times reported on Wednesday.

The newspaper, which claimed to have a copy of the document, said the relevant chapter was headlined 'Does sex increase performance?'.

"Yes it does, so go ahead and indulge," the document said, before giving the benefits of a good sex life and even suggesting "going solo" if no partners were available.

"From a physiological perspective, having sex increases testosterone levels, which cause an increase in strength, energy, aggression and competitiveness," the document said.

"Conversely, not having sex for a period of a few months causes a significant drop in testosterone levels in both males and females, with the corresponding passiveness and decrease in aggression."

The document quotes Tim Noakes, a professor and sports scientist at the University of Cape Town, Kirsten's home town, as saying that "sex was not a problem, but being up till 2 am, probably having a few drinks at a bar while trying to pick someone up, on the eve of a game, almost always was."

The document also adds, "If you want sex but do not have someone to share it with, one option is to go solo whilst imagining you have a partner, or a few partners, who are as beautiful as you wish to imagine.

"No pillow talk and no hugging required. Just roll over and go to sleep."

Enforced celibacy may also affect performance, the advice said.

"You may experience that your mind spends more time focusing on the fire in your groin than on good sport practice, preparation and sleep," the document said.

The document also includes chapters on self-improvement and healthy eating.