First dates are as thrilling as jumping out of a plane

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Researchers monitored participants' heart rates during various activities
The average heart rate of a person doing indoor skydiving was 111 beats/minute
It was very close to that of a person during a blind date at 106 beats/minute

Published: 06:01 EDT, 14 February 2018 | Updated: 07:44 EDT, 14 February 2018

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Some people are addicted to dating and never settling down- and now scientists say they know why.

The thrill of a first date may induce just as much adrenaline as jumping out of a plane, new research has found.

The study found that the average heart rate of a person doing indoor skydiving was 111 beats per minute, very close to that of a person during a blind date - 106 beats per minute.

Some people are addicted to dating and never settling down- and now scientists say they know why. The thrill of a first date may induce just as much adrenaline as jumping out of a plane, new research has found (stock)

The research, conducted by the University of Wolverhampton's cardiology department, involved putting participants through a number of thrilling experiences including indoor skydiving, a zip wire course, and a first date while wearing heart rate monitors to measure pulse fluctuations.

In addition to the study, a supporting survey of 2,000 adults found that more than half (54 per cent) of consider going on a first date a thrilling experience, and 1 in 6 confessed to enjoying the rush of the initial encounter.

The survey also found that a third of Brits had considered leaving or not turning up to a date due to nerves, and 45 per cent have stuttered and lost their trail of thought.

However, those nerves may be nothing to worry about, as 78 per cent of those surveyed said they found first date nerves endearing in a partner.

Women claimed to be more awkward than men when dating, with two thirds admitting that nerves get the better of them before a first date.

Meanwhile, a fifth of men feel relaxed and confident before a first date.

Dr Martin Khechera, Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Science at the University of Wolverhampton, said: 'It’s no surprise to see heart rates spike before undertaking thrilling experiences and extreme sports, however it is a surprise to see dating, among the top thrills.

'Perhaps those that go on a blind date this February are braver than we initially thought.

'When approaching a nerve-racking experience, our bodies usually experience a "fight or flight" response, whereby we notice a rapid increase in heart rate due to an adrenaline rush.

A study by researchers at the University of Wolverhampton found that the average heart rate of a person doing indoor skydiving was 111 beats per minute, very close to that of a person during a blind date - 106 beats per minute (stock image)

'Once the initial thrill has taken place, heart rates start to steady, and this is when we get a chance to enjoy and improve our skydiving and even dating skills.

'The more we get used to pushing ourselves out of our comfort zone the better we get in handling stressful situations.

'It’s valid to conclude that the more we push ourselves out of our comfort zone by skydiving or taking on heights or even the exhilarating rush of a zip line the better we get in dating.'

James Thomas, General Manager of The Bear Grylls Adventure, which partnered with the University of Wolverhampton for the study, said: 'First dates sure are a thrilling experience, the fear of the unknown in any circumstance gets the heart racing, and the heart rate research we’ve undertaken backs this up.

'The results of our research proved that the UK is a nation of thrill seekers who want to be pushed to the limit and the attraction is set to test just that.'

WHAT ARE THE FIVE STAGES OF A RELATIONSHIP AND HOW DO THEY AFFECT THE BODY?

Psychologists suggest there are five stages of love - butterflies, building, assimilation, honesty and stability.

Each of these stages has a different impact on our psyche and health, researchers at eHarmony found in a 2014 survey.

1) Butterflies

Marked by intense infatuation and sexual attraction, symptoms noted by couples included weight loss (30 per cent) and a lack of productivity (39 per cent).

Biologically, it's reported that during this early stage of dating, both men and women create more of the sex hormones testosterone and oestrogen.

As a result more than half - 56 per cent - noted an increase in their libido.

Psychologists suggest there are five stages of love - butterflies, building, assimilation, honesty and stability

2) Building

As the initial attraction gives way to learning more about one another, the honeymoon stage subsides and a couple begin to build their relationship.

eHarmony's study estimated around three per cent of Britons in relationship are currently at stage two.

The body releases neurochemicals called monoamines, which speed up heart rate, trigger rushes of intense pleasure and replicate the effects of Class A drugs.

The biological effect culminates in a feeling of 'happy anxiety', where people can think of little else than their blossoming relationship.

Forty-four per cent of the study participants noted a lack of sleep while 29 per cent reported a their attention span had been adversely affected.

3) Assimilation

Having established whether the other person is 'right', stage three forces a couple to question whether the 'relationship' itself is right.

Questions over the future of the union and forming boundaries in the relationship can lead to a rise in stress levels, reported by 27 per cent of those taking part in the study.

Each of the five stages of a relationship has a different impact on our psyche and health, researchers at eHarmony found in a 2014 survey (stock image)

4) Honesty

Stage three combines with stage four, where people open up showing the 'real you' sees the first real rise in stress levels and anxiety.

'This stage deals with the concept behind how we all put on our best faces, through social media we edit our lives as well as our pictures to make it appear as though everything is fine,' psychologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos, who assisted with the study, told MailOnline.

Opening up completely triggered feelings of doubt and increased vulnerability in 15 per cent of participants.

5) Stability

If a couple can weather the emotional rollercoaster of the first four stages, the fifth and final stage, stability, brings with it increased levels of trust and intimacy.

eHarmony found 50 per cent of respondents had reached this stage, and 23 per cent reported feeling happier as a result.

Biologically, vasopressin - a powerful hormone released by men and women during orgasm - strengthens feelings of attachment.

Meanwhile oxytocin - released during childbirth - deepens feelings of attachment.

'This is where we see a real level of contentness,' Dr Papadopolous told MailOnline.

'We found the body releases wonderful hormones which helps couples bond. We noted a real sense of attachment, and a sense of "you have got my back and I've got yours".'