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"Numbness is common because
the pressure of the saddle can impair the blood
supply to this area and put pressure on the
nerves in the penis. This can also affect a
man's ability to get an erection.
"There is a greater incidence of
numbness and erection problems in men who cycle
regularly and over longer training distances.
That is why it is important to rest
intermittently during prolonged and vigorous
cycling", Nargund said. Men who cycle a lot can
also experience changes to their sperm function
, because of the excessive heat generated in the
pelvic area.
Regular cyclists can run a higher
risk of testicular damage and impaired
testicular function also. Mountain bikers run a
particular risk as studies have shown that they
exhibit higher levels of scrotal abnormalities
than one road cyclists. "The bicycle saddle is
in direct contact with the perineum and its
underlying structures. It makes contact just
behind the scrotum where the nerves and blood
vessels enter the back of the scrotum and penis.
"This area is sensitive, with
hair follicles and sweat and sebaceous glands,
which are all good breeding grounds for
infection. Abrasions, bruising and damaged hair
follicles and are among the most traumatic
cycling injuries. Sweating in this area can also
cause soreness and skin problems", he said.
"So, choosing the right bike is
essential. The male cyclist should know his
bicycle well and a proper fit is particularly
important for high-performance cycling. "The
level of pedal resistance is also very
important, because riding a bike using too much
resistance is a cause of health problems," he
was quoted by the 'BMU International' journal as
saying - PTI. |
