From his use of emojis to how he writes the letter Y – the telltale signs that reveal just how good your man will be in bed
BLOKES who take big strides will be walking with an extra swagger this week, after experts found they're much less likely to flop in bed than fellas with tiny steps.
But the size of a man's stride isn't the only thing which could give a clue to how he performs between the sheets - if they bite their nails, whether or not they like cycling and how they write the letter 'y' can all reveal a man's prowess, or lack of it.
This week, experts revealed fellas with a short stride, who lift their foot less, are 40 per cent more likely to struggle with impotence. They think weak pelvic muscles may be to blame.
Here, we reveal the telltale signs that your man will be a stud between the sheets.
Signs he'll be a great lover...
He writes the letter 'y' with a loop
If you want a clue about your man's ability in bed, check his handwriting (yes, really).
Handwriting specialists claim fellas who sign a lowercase 'y' with long, wide loops have strong sex drives and a lot of imagination and creativity.
And the same can be said for men who sign off their 'ys' with a flourish...
He loves an emoji... or 50
If your bloke is constantly on his phone sending emojis to his mates, there might be a good reason not to get annoyed.
People who frequently use emojis have more sex because they're better at communicating desire, research suggests.
Researchers from The Kinsey Institute surveyed more than 5,000 people aged between 18 and 94 about their sex life and emoji use.
They found participants who used emojis on a regular basis had more sex. They were also more likely to have shared a kiss and started a relationship.
However, emoji use could be a bad sign for a long-lasting relationship - because the study also revealed emoji lovers go on more first dates.
He bites his nails
To many people, it's an irritating habit.
But if your new lover is a nail-biter, you could be in for an exciting ride.
Sex and relationships expert Tracey Cox are showing a tendency to “push boundaries and go to extremes”.
She also suggests fellas are more adventurous as lovers the further their thumbs can bend away from their palms.
So if you want adventure between the sheets, make sure you look out for men with extremely short nails and flexible thumbs...
He loves coffee ice cream
If your new bloke is a fan of coffee ice cream, you could be in luck.
Researchers have found that coffee ice cream-lovers are typically seductive, flirtatious and dramatic, meaning they're exciting companions between the sheets.
"They aren’t concerned about the future and thrive on the passion of the moment," neurologist Alan Hirsch, who led a study into the subject, told
However, if you're after a more thoughtful lover who will quietly strategise every sexual move, you should probably go for someone who enjoys strawberry ice cream.
Or for a fella who doesn't mind indulging in a PDA, go for vanilla.
The study found that, in most cases, having a favourite ice cream flavour that differs from your lover's is best for a blissful romance.
He's left-handed
From using scissors and measuring tapes to finding a suitable university desk, left-handed people can struggle with things most of us take for granted.
But one thing they triumph over is sex, according to researchers.
A found that left-handed people are far more satisfied with their sex lives than those who are right-handed - for reasons that remain a mystery.
In fact, of the 10,000 people surveyed, 86 per cent of left-handers said they were "extremely satisfied", compared to just 15 per cent of right-handers.
This means if your man is a leftie, he's probably got a good thing going in the bedroom. You can only hope that his satisfaction includes leaving you satisfied too...
He's very organised
Many people crave spontaneous, adrenaline-pumping sex. Yet research suggests that organised people who are very detail-oriented and good at planning could be the best lovers.
A study of nearly 1,000 couples, published in The Journal of Sex Research last year, revealed that being conscientious was linked to an improved sex life.
It found that "conscientious individuals reported better sexual function. Women whose partners were more conscientious also had better sexual function".
Researchers reportedly believe that men - and women - who display the conscientious trait might be more likely to engage with their lovers to ensure they're satisfied.
He's got a relaxed posture
Your man's posture could indicate his prowess in the bedroom.
Sun sex and relationship columnist Dr Pam Spurr explains: "You’re looking for good, relaxed but confident posture. A good sign he’ll be confident and relaxed in bed.
"Just what you want, especially if you have any nerves!
"But stressed and rigid posture? He’ll bring that physical tension into sex. Yes, you want one significant part of him ‘rigid’ but not the rest."
And signs he'll flop in bed...
He's a keen cyclist
It might keep him fit, but cycling could leave your man with issues in bed.
Researchers have suggested prolonged periods of cycling could lead to erectile dysfunction because the pressure of the saddle decreases blood flow to the penis.
In a previous article for Bicycling magazine, cyclist and sports journalist Ed Pavelka described how vessel damage from biking had left him struggling with impotence.
He wrote at the time that tests showed the blood flow to his penis had become "so limited" that he was unable to maintain a sufficient enough erection for sex.
He had to and a herbal blend to boost his love life.
Researchers in Norway also found one in five men who participated in a 335-mile bike tour suffered from penile numbness afterwards. In some cases, it lasted more than a week.
However, some experts have disputed claims of a link between cycling and impotence - with a US study last year finding the sport does not negatively impact on men's sexual health.
He doesn't brush his teeth twice a day
If your fella fails to brush his teeth twice a day, he could flop in bed. Poor oral hygiene can result in gum disease, raising the risk of impotence almost three-fold, researchers say.
The disease is thought to lower levels of the sex hormone testosterone and increase inflammation. Like erectile dysfunction, it is also linked to poorly-functioning blood vessels.
Boffins from a Chinese university analysed men's teeth and sexual performance, and found those with gum disease were 2.85 times more likely to suffer erectile dysfunction.
The condition - which affects millions of people in the UK - can also cause bleeding gums, tooth loss and bad breath. Not exactly a turn on in the bedroom...
You're close mates with his pals
This is a surprising one - being close friends with your bloke's pals could make him flop in bed.
Researchers have found that men who spend less time with their male friends than their wives, girlfriends or lovers do, are at a hugely increased risk of erectile dysfunction.
"A man whose female partner has greater contact with some of his confidants than he does is about 92 percent more likely to have trouble getting or maintaining an erection than a man who has greater access than his partner does to all of his confidants," said study researcher Benjamin Cornwell, of Cornell University in New York, US.
The team - who surveyed more than 3,000 men - suggested that men in this situation may feel like their autonomy and privacy are being undermined, reports.
He devours his food... and loves sweets
How a man eats can give you a clue as to how good he'll be in bed.
So if your date wolfs down a burger in seconds or messily slurps his soup in a restaurant, you might want to think twice about jumping into bed with him.
In contrast, someone who takes his time with his meal - enjoying every single bite - and orders adventurous dishes could be a great sexual partner.
Another thing to look out for is whether the fella opposite you has a sweet tooth.
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Nutritionist Lisa Davis, the author of Clean Eating, Dirty Sex, describes how sugar interferes with blood flow by causing "inflammation" in capillaries.
This swelling, , reduces the "blood flow to sexual organs, impacting libido and performance in bed".
So if your date suggests dessert, don't get too excited...