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EFFECTS OF BICYCLING ON THE MALE GENITAL TRACT
Minkow, R.1, Sommer,F.2
(1) Research Center, USA, (2) University of Cologne
(1) Rminkow@aol.com (2) Frank.Sommer@men-and-health.info
Objectives:
A questionnaire study in Cologne carried out of 1,786 cyclists showed
that the impotence rate among long-distance cyclists
was three times higher than the impotence rate in
the same age group of non-cyclists. This is quite
alarming when one considers that 46% of American adults
(62 million American men), rode a bike in the year
2000. Compression of the perineum seems to cause decreased
penile perfusion resulting in hypoxemia. This leads
to changes in penile tissue structure that results
in erectile dysfunction. Additionally It has been
hypothesized that cycling may have a negative effect
on male fertility, due to a possible increase in the
temperature of the scrotum while cycling for long
periods of time. The following questions should be
answered: · Does cycling causes a decreased penile
perfusion? · What kind of precautions can be taken
to avoid such health hazards? · Does the design of
the bicycle saddle influence penile perfusion? · What
are the effects of cycling on semen parameters? Cohorts
and Methods: In 100 healthy athletic men transcutaneous
penile oxygen pressure (tpO2) at the glans of the
penis was measured during cycling in different body-positions
and using different types of saddles. Additionally
51 long-distance cyclists, and 50 controls, recruited
from the vasectomy clinic were analyzed to see what
were the effects of cycling on semen parameters (included
evaluation of the sperm concentration, morphology,
and motility.) Results: · The penile blood supply
decreased significantly during cycling in a seated
position. · Cycling in a standing and in a reclining
position did not lead to any decrease in penile blood
flow. · Saddle construction and cycling position (30
vs. 60 vs. 90 degrees) is the most important factor
influencing penile perfusion. · The median value of
scrotal skin temperature was 33.3 °C before and 36.6
°C after cycling. The semen analysis showed no significant
differences between the cyclists and controls. Conclusion:
The results of the present study demonstrated that
there is a deficiency in penile perfusion caused by
perineal arterial compression. Cycling in a standing
and reclining position caused no alteration in penile
blood flow during exercising. Additionally we conclude
that long-distance cycling can cause a significant
increase in scrotal skin temperature. However, the
results suggest that this temperature increase due
to vigorous cycling causes no significant changes
in sperm quality.
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