Semen Quality in Healthy Adult Men
Conditions
Keywords
Combined Exercise, Aerobic Exercise, Resistance Exercise, Semen Quality, Sperm Concentration, Sperm Motility, Sperm Morphology, Male Reproductive Health, Metabolic Biomarkers, Body Composition, Healthy Adult Men
Brief summary
This study evaluated whether a 12-week combined aerobic and resistance exercise program could improve semen quality and metabolic health in healthy adult men. A total of 34 men aged 18-24 years participated in the study. Participants were assigned to either an exercise group or a passive control group based on their willingness and ability to attend the exercise program; assignment was not randomized. Participants in the exercise group completed supervised combined exercise sessions three times per week for 12 weeks. Each session included aerobic and resistance exercises. Participants in the control group were asked to maintain their usual daily activities and not begin a structured exercise program during the study. Semen quality, metabolic biomarkers, and body composition were assessed before and after the 12-week study period. Semen assessments included semen volume, pH, sperm concentration, motility, and normal sperm morphology. The study aimed to determine whether regular combined exercise was associated with changes in reproductive and metabolic health compared with no structured exercise program.
Detailed description
This completed, non-randomized, parallel-group interventional study investigated the effects of a 12-week supervised combined aerobic and resistance exercise program on semen quality, metabolic biomarkers, and body composition in healthy adult men. A total of 34 men aged 18-24 years were enrolled. Participants were allocated to an exercise group or a passive control group according to their willingness and availability to participate in the supervised exercise program. Therefore, no random sequence generation or concealed allocation procedure was used. Participants assigned to the exercise group completed a 12-week combined exercise program consisting of three supervised sessions per week. The program incorporated both aerobic and resistance exercise components. Exercise sessions were progressively organized over the intervention period to provide a structured training stimulus. Participants assigned to the passive control group continued their usual daily routines and were instructed not to participate in a new structured exercise program during the same period. Assessments were conducted at baseline and after completion of the 12-week intervention. Semen samples were evaluated for semen volume, pH, sperm concentration, total motility, progressive motility, non-progressive motility, and normal sperm morphology. Metabolic biomarkers and body-composition measures were also evaluated at both time points. Laboratory personnel responsible for outcome assessment were unaware of the participants' group assignments. Changes from baseline to the end of the intervention were compared between the exercise and control groups to examine whether combined exercise was associated with improvements in reproductive and metabolic health.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALCombined Aerobic and Resistance Exercise Program
Participants completed a 12-week supervised combined exercise program performed three times per week. Each session included aerobic and resistance exercise components. The training program was progressively structured across the intervention period to provide an appropriate exercise stimulus. Exercise sessions were supervised to support adherence and the correct performance of the prescribed activities. Semen quality, metabolic biomarkers, and body composition were assessed before and after the intervention.
Sponsors
Cumhuriyet University
Study design
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
Due to the nature of the exercise intervention, participants and exercise supervisors could not be masked to group assignment. However, laboratory personnel responsible for analyzing the biological samples and assessing the laboratory-based outcomes were unaware of the participants' group assignments.
Intervention model description
Participants were assigned to either a supervised combined exercise group or a passive control group based on their willingness and availability to attend the exercise program. The two groups were followed in parallel for 12 weeks. Group allocation was not randomized.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
18 Years to 24 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Male participants aged 18-24 years. Being generally healthy and able to participate safely in an aerobic and resistance exercise program. Voluntarily agreeing to participate and providing written informed consent. Being willing and able to provide semen and blood samples at baseline and after the 12-week study period. Being able to complete the study assessments and comply with the study procedures.
Exclusion criteria
* Presence of a diagnosed reproductive system disorder or a medical condition known to affect semen quality. Presence of a chronic, cardiovascular, metabolic, musculoskeletal, or other medical condition that could prevent safe participation in exercise. Current use of medication, hormonal treatment, or nutritional supplementation known to influence reproductive or metabolic outcomes. Presence of an acute illness or injury during the assessment or intervention period that prevented participation. Failure to complete the baseline or post-intervention assessments. Failure to comply with the prescribed exercise program or study procedures.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Sperm Concentration | Baseline and Week 12 | Sperm concentration was determined through semen analysis and expressed as the number of spermatozoa per milliliter of semen. The change from baseline to the end of the 12-week study period was compared between the combined exercise and passive control groups. |
| Change in Total Sperm Motility | Baseline and Week 12 | Total sperm motility was assessed by semen analysis and expressed as the percentage of progressively and non-progressively motile spermatozoa. Change from baseline was evaluated after the 12-week study period. |
| Change in Progressive Sperm Motility | Baseline and Week 12 | Progressive sperm motility was assessed by semen analysis and expressed as the percentage of spermatozoa demonstrating progressive forward movement. Change from baseline was evaluated after the 12-week study period. |
| Change in Non-Progressive Sperm Motility | Baseline and Week 12 | Non-progressive sperm motility was assessed by semen analysis and expressed as the percentage of motile spermatozoa that did not demonstrate progressive forward movement. Change from baseline was evaluated after the 12-week study period. |
| Change in Normal Sperm Morphology | Baseline and Week 12 | Normal sperm morphology was assessed by semen analysis and expressed as the percentage of spermatozoa classified as having normal morphology. Change from baseline was evaluated after the 12-week study period. |
| Change in Semen Volume | Baseline and Week 12 | Semen volume was measured during semen analysis and expressed in milliliters. Change from baseline was evaluated after the 12-week study period. |
| Change in Semen pH | Baseline and Week 12 | Semen pH was measured during semen analysis using the laboratory procedure specified in the study protocol. Change from baseline was evaluated after the 12-week study period. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed