Dear men, cycle without fear. It won’t affect your sexual health, say experts | Health - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Dear men, cycle without fear. It won’t affect your sexual health, say experts

Indo Asian News Service, New York | By
Jan 13, 2018 10:02 AM IST

Researchers opine that cycling provides tremendous cardiovascular benefits and is low impact on joints. The health benefits enjoyed by cyclists who ride safely will far out weight health risks.

Cycling, a popular choice of transportation, exercise, and leisure, may not be harmful for the sexual health and urinary function of males, finds a study. Challenging previous theories which contended that cycling may harm men’s sexual health, the new study showed that the benefits to cycling “far outweigh the risks” and instead provides cardiovascular benefits. When compared to swimmers and runners, high intensity cyclists’ had better erectile function scores, it said. Researchers also said that neither bicycle nor road characteristics appeared to have a negative impact on cyclists.

When compared to swimmers and runners, high intensity cyclists’ had better erectile function scores, a study found.(Shutterstock)
When compared to swimmers and runners, high intensity cyclists’ had better erectile function scores, a study found.(Shutterstock)

Standing more than 20% of the time while cycling significantly reduced the odds of genital numbness, but adjusting handlebar height lower than the saddle height did increase the likelihood of genital numbness and saddle sores, the researchers said. “We believe the results will be encouraging for cyclists. Cycling provides tremendous cardiovascular benefits and is low impact on joints. We believe the health benefits enjoyed by cyclists who ride safely will far out weight health risks,” said Benjamin Breyer, Professor at the University of California in San Francisco.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

For the study, published in the Journal of Urology, the team studied over three groups of athletes - 2,774 cyclists, 539 swimmers, and 789 runners, questioning them on urinary tract infections (UTIs), urethral strictures, genital numbness, and saddle sores. Cyclists consisted of high-intensity exercise group, while the runners and swimmers were included in the low intensity group or the once who do not cycle on a regular basis.

“This is the largest comparative study to date, exploring the associations of cycling, bike and road characteristics with sexual and urinary function using validated questionnaires,” Breyer said. Previous studies have suggested that cycling can be one of the easiest ways to stay fit. Besides controlling your weight, it can also reduce depression, stress and anxiety.

Follow @htlifeandstyle for more

Oscars 2024: Nominees to Red Carpet Glam! Get Exclusive Coverage on HT. Click Here

Catch your daily dose of Fashion, Health, Festivals, Travel, Relationship, Recipe and all the other Latest Lifestyle News on Hindustan Times Website and APPs
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On