Gym lifestyle factors and male reproductive health: a study into young adult usage and perceptions

RESEARCH QUESTION: What level of awareness do young adults have regarding the potential impacts of gym lifestyle factors and supplementation on male infertility?

DESIGN: Between February and March 2023 a questionnaire (n=152) was employed to gauge attitudes and awareness of male reproductive health and gym lifestyles on male fertility. Two semi-structured focus groups (n = 10 total), stratified by sex assigned at birth, were conducted using a set of discussion topics.

RESULTS: The survey revealed a statistically significant difference between male and female awareness of the potential impacts of some forms of high-intensity exercise and protein supplementation on male reproductive health (p < 0.05). Many men do not think about fertility unprompted; the survey revealed differences between men who have thought about their fertility and both those who are curious about their fertility (p < 0.0001) and those who believe their personal fertility is important to them (p < 10−5). Men were more likely to make a change in their behaviour if it had a long-term effect on their fertility compared to a short-term effect (p < 10−5). We extracted 5 focus group themes surrounding awareness of male reproductive health.

CONCLUSIONS: This work has shown that there is a significant lack of awareness and information surrounding the effects of gym lifestyles on male infertility in a UK young adult population. Crucially, levels of awareness are significant different between men and women. Men have a potentially alarming lack of concern over their own fertility, and how factors such as gym supplements can have negative long-term impacts.