The risk of groin injuries seems to be bigger for mountain bikers than for road cyclists

Evolution in action....

Mike


http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandsty...-sexual-health

Can cycling affect men's sexual health?BMJ Group, Thursday 10 July
2008 Article history
Male cyclists should take care when choosing and setting up their
bikes, or they could be at risk of groin injuries and possibly
erection problems, according to a new study. However, the good news is
that researchers have found no direct link between cycling and
infertility in men.

What do we know already?
Cycling is increasingly popular, both as a sport and as a way of
getting around. With more congestion on the roads and higher petrol
prices, cycling can start to seem like a good option for the daily
commute.

By combining transport with exercise, cycling also looks like a
healthy option. But there are risks. In the UK, roughly 90,000
cyclists are injured in road accidents every year, with a further
100,000 people hurt while biking off-road.

On top of the risk of accidents, male cyclists can face problems
affecting their sexual health. A summary of the research on health
issues affecting male cyclists has just been published.

What does the new study say?
The pressure of a bike's saddle can damage nerves or blood vessels in
the groin. More than 60 percent of male cyclists get some numbness in
their groin. This happens because of "overuse" injury, where small
amounts of damage to the body gradually build up over time.

For some men, the damage done by cycling can lead to erection
problems. Unfortunately, we can't tell from this review what
proportion of men are affected. Erectile dysfunction is more common
among cyclists who train over long distances. So, the author of the
study says it's important to take breaks during training sessions.

The risk of groin injuries seems to be bigger for mountain bikers than
for road cyclists.

Where does the study come from?
The study appeared in a journal called BJU International, which is the
official journal of the British Association of Urological Surgeons. It
is published by a company called Wiley-Blackwell.

What does this mean for me?
If you're a cyclist, it is important to set up and maintain your bike
properly. As with any kind of exercise, it's important to listen to
your body and give yourself time to recover between sessions.

What should I do now?
The study's author suggests several ways of protecting your groin when
cycling. Padded saddles and shorts can both reduce pressure. There are
also new saddle designs that seem to help. "Split" saddles have a gap
or groove in the middle, and "no-nose" saddles have just the back part
of the saddle, rather than being a traditional V-shape. There's some
research to show that newer saddle designs can reduce sexual health
problems for male cyclists.

It's also a good idea to make sure your bike is a good fit. Check that
the seat is the correct height and a comfortable angle. It's also
important to get the right frame size in the first place, and to make
sure the bike has the right kind of suspension for the type of cycling
you're doing.

Too much resistance from a bicycle's pedals can also contribute to a
build-up of damage to your body. You can reduce this by being careful
about how you use your bike's gears, and not riding in a higher gear
than you need to.

From:
Nargund VH. Health issues of cycling in men. BJU International.
Published online 11 June 2008.

--
I am working on creating wildlife habitat that is off-limits to
humans ("pure habitat"). Want to help? (I spent the previous 8
years fighting auto dependence and road construction.)

Please don't put a cell phone next to any part of your body that you are fond of!

http://home.pacbell.net/mjvande

On Jan 21, 11:41*pm, Mike Vandeman wrote:
Evolution in action....


Of course those groin injuries were from a scalpel. Evolution in
action!

Mike Vandeman wrote:
"Split" saddles have a gap or groove in the middle

There was a great ad I saw at a bike shop for a split bike seat like
this. The copy read "Prevents erectile dysfunction!" and featured an
improbably muscular Bill Clinton in a biker outfit with a huge grin
giving a thumbs-up.

Awesome.

-Beej

"Mike Vandeman" wrote in message
...
Evolution in action....

Mike



Your concern for another man's erection is alarming. Does your wife know?

On Jan 22, 2:33*pm, "Jeff Strickland" wrote:
"Mike Vandeman" wrote in message

...

Evolution in action....

Mike

Your concern for another man's erection is alarming. Does your wife know?

First or second wife?

"Siskuwihane" wrote in message
...
On Jan 22, 2:33 pm, "Jeff Strickland" wrote:
"Mike Vandeman" wrote in message

...

Evolution in action....

Mike

Your concern for another man's erection is alarming. Does your wife know?

First or second wife?


JS
Are you asking me? I'm shocked that he can snag a wife at all, I don't
bother to keep count of which one he's got tied in the dungeon so she can't
get away.


/JS