Unraveling the complexity of the impact of physical exercise on male reproductive functions: a review of both sides of a coin

Regular exercise is widely recognized for its numerous physical and mental benefits, but its effects on male reproductive health are less understood. This review aims to summarize the current evidence on the impact of exercise on male reproduction, including reproductive hormone regulation, spermato...

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Main Authors: Olayinka Emmanuel Adelowo, Blessing Monica Akindele, Cecilia Adedeji Adegbola, Precious Adeoye Oyedokun, Tunmise Maryanne Akhigbe, Roland Eghoghosoa Akhigbe
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-12-01
Series:Frontiers in Physiology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2024.1492771/full
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author Olayinka Emmanuel Adelowo
Olayinka Emmanuel Adelowo
Blessing Monica Akindele
Cecilia Adedeji Adegbola
Cecilia Adedeji Adegbola
Precious Adeoye Oyedokun
Precious Adeoye Oyedokun
Tunmise Maryanne Akhigbe
Tunmise Maryanne Akhigbe
Roland Eghoghosoa Akhigbe
Roland Eghoghosoa Akhigbe
author_facet Olayinka Emmanuel Adelowo
Olayinka Emmanuel Adelowo
Blessing Monica Akindele
Cecilia Adedeji Adegbola
Cecilia Adedeji Adegbola
Precious Adeoye Oyedokun
Precious Adeoye Oyedokun
Tunmise Maryanne Akhigbe
Tunmise Maryanne Akhigbe
Roland Eghoghosoa Akhigbe
Roland Eghoghosoa Akhigbe
author_sort Olayinka Emmanuel Adelowo
collection DOAJ
description Regular exercise is widely recognized for its numerous physical and mental benefits, but its effects on male reproductive health are less understood. This review aims to summarize the current evidence on the impact of exercise on male reproduction, including reproductive hormone regulation, spermatogenesis sperm quality, and fertility. Moderate exercise improves sperm quality, increasing count, motility, and morphology, while excessive and severe exercise may have detrimental effects. Exercise positively influences fertility by reducing oxidative stress and enhancing sperm DNA integrity. Regular physical activity regulates reproductive hormones, including testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone. Exercise-induced weight management and improved insulin sensitivity also contribute to better reproductive health. In conclusion, exercise has a profound impact on male reproductive health, with moderate physical activity promoting improved hormonal balance, sperm quality, and fertility. However, severe/excessive exercise exerts negative effects. These findings imply that a balanced exercise routine, usually mild to moderate, combined with a healthy lifestyle is essential for optimal male reproductive health. However, once exercise is severe and prolonged, it could impair male reproductive health. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying the exercise-reproduction relationship fully.
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publishDate 2024-12-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
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series Frontiers in Physiology
spelling doaj-art-9d39345c3d8540c2aa16e0b51fbc69a12025-08-20T01:59:05ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Physiology1664-042X2024-12-011510.3389/fphys.2024.14927711492771Unraveling the complexity of the impact of physical exercise on male reproductive functions: a review of both sides of a coinOlayinka Emmanuel Adelowo0Olayinka Emmanuel Adelowo1Blessing Monica Akindele2Cecilia Adedeji Adegbola3Cecilia Adedeji Adegbola4Precious Adeoye Oyedokun5Precious Adeoye Oyedokun6Tunmise Maryanne Akhigbe7Tunmise Maryanne Akhigbe8Roland Eghoghosoa Akhigbe9Roland Eghoghosoa Akhigbe10Department of Physiology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo, NigeriaReproductive Biology and Toxicology Research Laboratory, Oasis of Grace Hospital, Osogbo, NigeriaDepartment of Physiology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo, NigeriaDepartment of Physiology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo, NigeriaReproductive Biology and Toxicology Research Laboratory, Oasis of Grace Hospital, Osogbo, NigeriaDepartment of Physiology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo, NigeriaReproductive Biology and Toxicology Research Laboratory, Oasis of Grace Hospital, Osogbo, NigeriaReproductive Biology and Toxicology Research Laboratory, Oasis of Grace Hospital, Osogbo, NigeriaBreeding and Genetic Unit, Department of Agronomy, Osun State University, Osogbo, Oyo, NigeriaDepartment of Physiology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo, NigeriaReproductive Biology and Toxicology Research Laboratory, Oasis of Grace Hospital, Osogbo, NigeriaRegular exercise is widely recognized for its numerous physical and mental benefits, but its effects on male reproductive health are less understood. This review aims to summarize the current evidence on the impact of exercise on male reproduction, including reproductive hormone regulation, spermatogenesis sperm quality, and fertility. Moderate exercise improves sperm quality, increasing count, motility, and morphology, while excessive and severe exercise may have detrimental effects. Exercise positively influences fertility by reducing oxidative stress and enhancing sperm DNA integrity. Regular physical activity regulates reproductive hormones, including testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone. Exercise-induced weight management and improved insulin sensitivity also contribute to better reproductive health. In conclusion, exercise has a profound impact on male reproductive health, with moderate physical activity promoting improved hormonal balance, sperm quality, and fertility. However, severe/excessive exercise exerts negative effects. These findings imply that a balanced exercise routine, usually mild to moderate, combined with a healthy lifestyle is essential for optimal male reproductive health. However, once exercise is severe and prolonged, it could impair male reproductive health. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying the exercise-reproduction relationship fully.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2024.1492771/fullexercisemale fertilityspermatogenesistestosteroneoxidative stressphysical activity
spellingShingle Olayinka Emmanuel Adelowo
Olayinka Emmanuel Adelowo
Blessing Monica Akindele
Cecilia Adedeji Adegbola
Cecilia Adedeji Adegbola
Precious Adeoye Oyedokun
Precious Adeoye Oyedokun
Tunmise Maryanne Akhigbe
Tunmise Maryanne Akhigbe
Roland Eghoghosoa Akhigbe
Roland Eghoghosoa Akhigbe
Unraveling the complexity of the impact of physical exercise on male reproductive functions: a review of both sides of a coin
Frontiers in Physiology
exercise
male fertility
spermatogenesis
testosterone
oxidative stress
physical activity
title Unraveling the complexity of the impact of physical exercise on male reproductive functions: a review of both sides of a coin
title_full Unraveling the complexity of the impact of physical exercise on male reproductive functions: a review of both sides of a coin
title_fullStr Unraveling the complexity of the impact of physical exercise on male reproductive functions: a review of both sides of a coin
title_full_unstemmed Unraveling the complexity of the impact of physical exercise on male reproductive functions: a review of both sides of a coin
title_short Unraveling the complexity of the impact of physical exercise on male reproductive functions: a review of both sides of a coin
title_sort unraveling the complexity of the impact of physical exercise on male reproductive functions a review of both sides of a coin
topic exercise
male fertility
spermatogenesis
testosterone
oxidative stress
physical activity
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2024.1492771/full
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