Healthy sperm… reason #24 to get a Cruzbike

December 10, 2010/ Jim Parker

A new study[1] published in the journal “Fertility and Steriltiy” examined sperm count and sperm health (based on the motility of the sperm) of over 2,200 men who gave a sample of sperm to a Boston fertility clinic. Men who reported bicycling more than 5 hours per week were twice as likely as other men to have both a low sperm count and decreased sperm motility. The authors of the study suggest that the cause may be from trauma from the bicycle saddle, or from increased temperature of the scrotum during bicycling. Whether the cause is trauma or heat build-up, switching to a recumbent bicycle should eliminate this issue. The recumbent position removes pressure from the anterior perineum, where the scrotum and testes are located. Pressure is also removed from the arteries and nerves that supply the male genitalia. Tissue damage and a relatively high incidence of problems like erectile dysfunction are well documented in serious male cyclists [2]. Regarding heating and cooling of the scrotum during recumbent vs. standard cycling, I would predict the more open position of the hips/pelvis, plus the lack of compression of the scrotum against a saddle, would greatly increase airflow (and thus cooling) over the scrotum of a recumbent cyclist vs. a cyclist on a standard road bike. A comparative study could easily be done to test this cooling hypothesis. [1] “Physical activity and semen quality among men attending an infertility clinic” Lauren A. Wise, Sc.D., Daniel W. Cramer, M.D., Mark D. Hornstein, M.D., Rachel K. Ashby, M.D., Stacey A. Missmer, Sc.D.;FERTILITY & STERILITY published online 01 December 2010. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6B90CY20101210 [2] http://www.cruzbike.com/question-and-answers-health