For this study, scientists from the Harvard School of Public Health (United States) analyzed the sperm of 137 volunteers who came to consult for health problems. fertility at Massachusetts Hospital.
The sperm concentration rates of these men could vary by more than 48% between the active and the sedentary.
“We have found that men who engage in moderate or vigorous activity for at least 1 hour per day have a significantly higher sperm concentration than those who are sedentary,” explains Audrey Gaskins, co-author of the study, to Figaro. “And this new study confirms the results of a previous study we conducted in 2012 which found that men who exercise more than 15 hours per week have a 73% higher sperm concentration than those who move less. 5 hours. “
Weightlifting and gardening good for sperm concentration
“Weightlifting may promote spermatogenesis by increasing testosterone levels. “And concerning the virtues of gardening on fertility, the researcher explains that,” it is the exposure to the rays of the sun during the gardening which could stimulate the fertility by increasing the levels of. vitamin D. ”
Be careful, this revelation is not true for all sports. Rather, cycling harms fertility.
“It is the pressure exerted by the saddle of the bicycle on the scrotum that could be involved,” says Audrey Gaskins, main author of the study.
Audrey Gakins and Dr. Jorge Chavarro, co-author of the study do not draw hasty conclusions from this study and prefer to remain cautious. “It is indeed possible that physical activity can help prevent infertility or even cure it, but the data are still lacking. In this study, we did not examine the relationship between physical activity and pregnancy rates. We therefore cannot make the link between higher semen concentrations in men participating in sports and improved fertility. This will require other work, ”she concludes.
