From the BBC comes a report that links male elite cyclists and infertility issues.
According to the article, the overall sperm quality of elite cyclists drop radically, mainly because of their vigorous training regimens. In fact, the Spanish researchers who conducted the survey of male elite cyclists even recommended those cyclists consider freezing their sperm before beginning their cycling careers.
However, this isn’t a cause for you to pitch your ten speed. In the study, the men who were examined cycled more than 186 miles per week, much more than your average Joe.
Because the same drop in sperm quality wasn’t seen in long-distance swimmers or runners, the problem may lie with a number of factors, including the heat generated from the cyclists’ clothing or the pressure of the seat against the groin area of the cyclist.
Though this may not affect you or your partner, it’s worth considering the possibility that certain types of high intensity exercise routines could lead to fertility issues.