Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Sperm Collection of Differential Quality Using Density Gradient Centrifugation
Published on: November 29, 2018
Physical activity and semen quality among men attending an infertility clinic
Lauren A Wise1, Daniel W Cramer, Mark D Hornstein
1Slone Epidemiology Center, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA. lwise@bu.edu
Objective:
To examine the association between regular physical activity and semen quality.
Design:
Prospective cohort study.
Setting:
Couples attending one of three IVF clinics in the greater Boston area during 1993-2003. At study entry, male participants completed a questionnaire about their general health, medical history, and physical activity. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were derived using generalized estimating equations models, accounting for potential confounders and multiple samples per man.
Patient(S):
A total of 2,261 men contributing 4,565 fresh semen samples were enrolled before undergoing their first IVF cycles.
Intervention(S):
None.
Main Outcome Measure(S):
Semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility, sperm morphology, and total motile sperm (TMS).
Result(S):
Overall, none of the semen parameters were materially associated with regular exercise. Compared with no regular exercise, bicycling ≥ 5 h/wk was associated with low sperm concentration (OR 1.92, 95% CI 1.03-3.56) and low TMS (OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.19-3.56). These associations did not vary appreciably by age, body mass index, or history of male factor infertility.
Conclusion(S):
Although the present study suggests no overall association between regular physical activity and semen quality, bicycling ≥ 5 h/wk was associated with lower sperm concentration and TMS.
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