Can cycling reduce sperm count and lead to infertility?

Don't stop cycling. Read this article to get a better perspective on male fertility and cycling.

Cycling is an excellent form of cardio exercise, it helps to burn calories, imparts core strength and also makes boasts overall fitness. But there is an eternal myth doing the rounds that stops men from taking cycling seriously. Many believe that cycling could lead to low sperm count and make one infertile. Not that their fears are unwarranted but taking up cycling as a recreational activity or exercise don t have an impact on a man s sperm health in a big way. Here are few facts about low sperm count and infertility that everyone should know.

However, if a man indulges in long-distance cycling it can in a way affect sperm count. A study published in the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine in the year 2015, took into account the effects of long-term low-to-intensive cycling training on the semen parameters in male road cyclists. Around 24 healthy non-athletic men were taken for the study. They had to undergo an intense 16-week intensive cycling training. On a regular basis, the sperm parameters of these participants were taken to understand if cycling affected the sperm health anyway. The participants were checked for semen volume, sperm motility, sperm morphology, sperm concentration, sperm count among other parameters. Here are some surprising facts about sperm and male infertility worth knowing.

It was seen that semen volume, sperm motility, sperm morphology, sperm concentration and sperm count were low after the intense training got over and it remained low even 30 days after the training got over. This gives a hint that intense cycling can affect the sperms is one way or the other. The study concluded saying that since the exercise has an effect on the reproductive health of a man, sufficient rest should be taken after each session to help the testicles recover from the strains of the previous training session.

However, the study revolved around the effect of professional cycling and male reproductive health. but to clear the air and know if men can take up cycling as a recreational activity and look at it as a weight loss program we spoke to Dr Rohit Joshi, Urologist, Chairman and Director for Aarna Super speciality hospital, Ahmedabad to get some perspective. In fact, cycling keeps the testes cool with the movement of the legs fanning the pelvic area. There is not much restriction or pressure caused by the bicycle seat to the testes and hence the sperm are safe while one cycles. Cycling is better than driving an automobile and sitting in a seat which tends to generate heat, he says. Know what is the difference between primary and secondary infertility.

So, if you want to keep cycling don t give it up thinking it can lower your sperm count and make you infertile. Instead, plan the activity well. Take enough rest between two cycling sessions to help your testicles revive so that it doesn t affect sperm health and production.

Reference:

1: Hajizadeh Maleki B, Tartibian B. Long-term Low-to-Intensive Cycling Training: Impact on Semen Parameters and Seminal Cytokines. Clin J Sports Med. 2015 Nov;25(6):535-40. doi: 10.1097/JSM.0000000000000122. PubMed PMID: 24977955.

Image source: Shutterstock