Researchers warn that sitting in front of the TV for hours on end could deplete one’s sperm count, as young men who spend three hours a day in front of the tube have half the sperm count as men who rarely watch television.
This is the first time a study has discovered a correlation between a smaller sperm count and lower levels of physical activity, as men who are less than moderately active are less likely to have a higher sperm count.
The study, conducted at Harvard University and published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, says a lack of exercise and overheating of the testicles due to prolonged sitting are to blame for the lesser sperm counts.
Men who are constantly sitting, such as those who work long hours, as well as drivers and cyclists, are thought to be at risk of a low sperm count.
According to the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH), healthy young men who watched more than 20 hours of TV each week had a 44 percent lower sperm count than those who watched almost no TV.
The researchers analyzed the semen quality of 189 young men between the ages of 18 and 22 at the University of Rochester.
Meanwhile, men who regularly exercised at least 15 hours per week had a 73 percent higher sperm count.
“We know very little about how lifestyle may impact semen quality and male fertility in general so identifying two potentially modifiable factors that appear to have such a big impact on sperm counts is truly exciting,” said study leader Dr. Audrey Gaskins.
So be sure to exercise regularly in order to one day keep your namesake going.
Jordan Shepherd | Elite.
