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REVIEW article

Front. Physiol.
Sec. Exercise Physiology
Volume 15 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1492771

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

Provisionally accepted
Olayinka Emmanuel Adelowo Olayinka Emmanuel Adelowo 1Blessing Monica Akindele Blessing Monica Akindele 1Cecilia Adedeji Adegbola Cecilia Adedeji Adegbola 1Precious Adeoye Oyedokun Precious Adeoye Oyedokun 1Tunmise Maryanne Akhigbe Tunmise Maryanne Akhigbe 2Roland Eghoghosoa Akhigbe Roland Eghoghosoa Akhigbe 1*
  • 1 Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Oyo, Nigeria
  • 2 Osun State University, Oshogbo, Osun, Nigeria

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    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.

    Keywords: Exercise, male fertility, Spermatogenesis, Testosterone, Oxidative Stress, physical activity, Inflammation, Cytokines

    Received: 07 Sep 2024; Accepted: 25 Nov 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Adelowo, Akindele, Adegbola, Oyedokun, Akhigbe and Akhigbe. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Roland Eghoghosoa Akhigbe, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Oyo, Nigeria

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.