The quality of semen is enriched when practicing high intensity physical exercise, according to a small study carried out by the IVI Bilbao Assisted Reproduction Clinic (Spain) and whose conclusions were presented to the Convention of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE).
For the study, the researchers had the participation of 85 semen donors, young adults between 18 and 35 years old, who had to complete an international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ), internationally standardized, by which their level of activity was determined. , dividing the volunteers into groups of: low, moderate, high and very high physical activity.
Taking into account healthy lifestyle habits, the results showed that intense or high physical activity -at least three days a week- not only had no negative effects on semen quality but was associated with better seminal parameters , contradicting, therefore, some studies that determine that physical activity can affect semen quality.
What is the ideal amount of physical activity?
The truth is that this extreme is difficult to define at the moment. What is clear is that the study participants carried out exercises not comparable to Olympic athletes or endurance athletes. The next study will examine precisely the effects of very high – or excessive – physical exercise on the semen quality of volunteers.
