THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE-SYSTEM AND ENDURANCE EXERCISE

During the last decade extensive research on the role of exercise upon the human reproductive system has been conducted. Primarily these inv estigations have focused on female subjects, but an increasing number of studies have examined male related issues. Evidence now suggests th at men who participate in chronic endurance training display mild degr ees of reproductive system abnormalities. The major abnormalities note d thus far are reduced resting levels of testosterone, altered pituita ry release of luteinizing hormone and prolactin, and altered sperm cha racteristics. The purpose of this article is to briefly review the res earch Literature on this topic and address select aspects of the impac t of exercise upon the male reproductive system. The principal topics addressed in this article are acute and chronic exercise effects, cons equences of hormonal changes associated with endurance training, and p otential mechanisms for the reproductive system changes detected.