title: Long-term Low-to-Intensive Cycling Training: Impact on Semen Parameters and Seminal Cytokines.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effects of long-term low-to-intensive cycling training on seminal cytokines and semen parameters in male road cyclists.
  
  
  METHODS
  Repeated measures design.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Exercise Physiology Laboratory of the Urmia University.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four healthy nonprofessional male road cyclists (23.1 ± 6.2 years) participated in this study.
  
  
  METHODS
  All subjects participated in a 16-week low-to-intensive cycling training. The semen samples were collected, respectively, at baseline (T1), immediately (T2), 12 (T3), and 24 (T4) hours after the last training session in week 8; immediately (T5), 12 (T6), and 24 (T7) hours after the last training session in week 16; as well as 7 (T8) and 30 (T9) days after the last training session in week 16.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semen volume, sperm motility, sperm morphology, sperm concentration, and number of spermatozoa as well as seminal interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α in seminal plasma from male road cyclists.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The levels of seminal IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 increased (P < 0.008) and remained high after 30 days of recovery. Semen volume, sperm motility, sperm morphology, sperm concentration, and number of spermatozoa decreased (P < 0.008). All of the above-mentioned variables (with the exception of semen volume, sperm motility, and sperm concentration) remained low after 30 days of recovery (P < 0.008).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A 16-week low-to-intensive cycling training may have deleterious consequences for spermatozoa and hence may have an impact on male fertility among cyclists.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given that exercise can affect reproductive system among male cyclists, hence cyclists may routinely employ sufficient rest after their training sessions to ensure that the sperm healthy parameters and seminal immunological profiles have properly recovered from the last training sessions.
authors: Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Science, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran.
authors: Behzad
authors: B
authors: Hajizadeh Maleki
authors: Bakhtyar
authors: B
authors: Tartibian
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D012661:Semen / Q000276:immunology*; D055101:Semen Analysis; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines