Physical Activity to Improve Erectile Function

What is it about?

The leading cause of erectile dysfunction (ED) is arterial dysfunction, with cardiovascular disease as the most common comorbidity. Therefore, ED is typically linked to a web of closely interrelated cardiovascular risk factors such as physical inactivity, obesity, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome. Physical activity (PA) has proved to be a protective factor against erectile problems, and PA has been shown to improve erectile function. The aim of this systematic review is to provide recommendations of levels of PA needed to improve erectile function for men living with physical inactivity, obesity, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and/or cardiovascular diseases. The review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines including research on ED and physical inactivity, obesity, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and/or cardiovascular diseases. All available studies from 2006 through 2016 were checked for the predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria to analyze the levels of PA needed to decrease ED. The results of the review provided sufficient research evidence for conclusions regarding the levels of PA necessary to decrease ED. Recommendations of PA to decrease ED should include supervised training consisting of 40 minutes of aerobic exercise of moderate to vigorous intensity 4 times per week. Overall, weekly exercise of 160 minutes for 6 months contributes to decreasing erectile problems in men with ED caused by physical inactivity, obesity, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and/or cardiovascular diseases.

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Why is it important?

The review gives recommendations that easy to present to men and gives men an easy tool to improve their erectile dysfunction: PA 40 minutes 4 times per week at moderate to high intensity. PA treats the vascular ED and can improve general cardiovascular health as well. It is important to know the recommended level of PA to improve erectile function, to ensure effective treatment.

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