An update on the implication of physical activity on semen quality: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Open accessAbstract
Purpose The aim of this study was to clarify whether physical activity may be associated with semen quality, considering the different types of sports, their intensity, and the semen parameters studied in the literature.Methods Eligible studies included those that evaluated the impact of physical activity in semen parameters in human population. Outcomes evaluated included the following seminal quality parameters: volume, concentration, total sperm count, progressive motility, total motility, total motile sperm count, morphology, and motile sperm concentration.Results We identified 32 manuscripts that analyzed this effect. Among them, 20 articles examined the role of general physical activity and 17 analyzed this relationship among specific sports. Although most results point to a lack of major effects of physical activity on semen quality, recreational physical activity could have a positive effect on semen concentration or progressive motility. On the contrary, elite physical activity could be detrimental for some semen parameters, such as progressive motility. Regarding specific sports, a negative effect of cycling on semen concentration is suggested.Conclusions In conclusion, recreational physical activity seems to be of benefit for men with infertility issues. However, elite physical activity could have a detrimental effect on semen quality, which should be taken into consideration.
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Moderate physical activity is positively associated with male and female fertility.
“Besides these substantial health benefits, evidence suggests a positive association between moderate physical activity and male and female fertility (Homan 2007, Ibanez-Perez 2019, McKinnon 2016).”
From Preconception lifestyle advice for people with infertility (2021) · cites this paper as Ibanez-Perez 2019
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References 44 · Cited by 70
Research works printed but not linked: 1
- Mínguez-Alarcón L, E CJ, Mendiola J, et al (2014) Physical activity is not related to semen quality in young healthy men. Fertil Steril 102:1103-1109 . doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2014.06.032.Physical · DOI
- Authors
- Ibañez-Perez, J., Santos-Zorrozua, B., Lopez-Lopez, E., Matorras, R., & Garcia-Orad, A.
- Affiliations
- BioCruces Health research Institute (ES)
- ORCID
- Matorras, Roberto
- Venue
- Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics
- Published
- 2019-01-22
- Volume
- 299
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 901-921
- ISSN
- 0003-9128 (ISSN-L)
- 0932-0067
- 1432-0711
- OpenAlex
- W2911809917
- Cited by
- 70
- References
- 44
- Citations by year
- 2026: 10 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 5
- FWCI
- 1.02
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- hdl.handle.net
- Licence
- other-oa
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Communities in ADDI (University of the Basque Country) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Funders
- Eusko Jaurlaritza (IT989-16)
- Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (UFI11/35)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Sperm and Testicular Function
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Male Reproductive Health Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Rheumatology › Urologic and reproductive health conditions
- Keywords
- physical activity, semen quality, male infertility, sport, leisure-time physical activity, elite athletes, cycling, sperm motility, sperm concentration, sperm morphology, seminal volume
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Humans, Infertility, Male, Male, Semen, Sperm Count, Exercise, Semen Analysis
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