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Study Looks at Bike Seats’ Effect on Men’s Pelvic Blood Flow

Study Looks at Bike Seats’ Effect on Men’s Pelvic Blood Flow

Original link here.

 

Is it just an urban myth, or can long-term bike riding cause sexual dysfunction in men?

Previous studies have not shed much light on the question, says Dr. Craig Niederberger, professor and head of urology at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, because they have not shown whether bike riding actually cuts off blood flow to men’s genitals.

It had not been possible to measure exactly where and how much pressure a bike seat exerts during a ride. Some earlier studies had measured the pressure on the bike seat, but not on the men’s anatomy.

“And we really aren’t concerned with what the bicycle is feeling,” said Neiderberger, who is also professor of engineering at UIC.

Niederberger and colleagues in engineering, urology and radiology designed a study to precisely measure pressure on the male anatomy. Volunteers will ride their bikes out on the street while a device designed and patented by the UIC researchers records data in real time as they try out six different seat designs.

The device, designed by the researchers working with UIC engineering students, can measure pressure on the artery supplying blood to the penis. The thin, flexible sensors are comfortable to wear and send information to equipment compact enough to wear in a backpack while riding.

A radiologist uses ultrasound to determine how much pressure completely blocks blood flow in each volunteer. That amount can differ for each man, according to Niederberger.

With four sensors attached to the skin above the blood vessels, the men ride for five minutes on the six different seats — some of classic design, and some modified in shape or with padding intended to improve comfort.

Many new bicycle seats are designed to be more comfortable, but whether they are better for the men riding them is pretty much just a guess, Niederberger said.

“So far, we’re seeing a surprising amount of variation in how different seats affect different men, depending on their anatomy, their riding posture, and their riding habits,” Niederberger said. “The question we would like to answer eventually is whether we can design a universal seat that is good for each and every man.”

The researchers are looking for more volunteers for the study. If you are interested, please call Christine Corpuz at (312) 996-9330.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by MK on November 3, 2011 at 9:59am
I can't remember where the article is but I read something similar a few months back. A lot Chicago Police bikers use a "no nose" saddle, which is supposed to be better. They're a few hundred dollars, look kind of goofy and I think require a bit of relearning/adjusting.
Permalink Reply by Zoetrope on November 3, 2011 at 10:02am

This is something I think about too often, probably.  Seems like a lot of the info out there is just conjecture, and I still hear to this day that I should be careful riding too much because I could get "cancer" or something.  I still have no idea what is true and what is not regarding bike seats and men's pelvic health.    

 

I just left a message to volunteer for the study.  

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on November 3, 2011 at 10:17am
And another chainlink link here.
Permalink Reply by Elliot Bennett on November 3, 2011 at 12:08pm
the tags for this discussion made me laugh :-)
Permalink Reply by in it to win it 8.0 mi on November 3, 2011 at 2:54pm

daily rider

blood flow is fine

';-)

 

 

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on November 6, 2011 at 12:24pm

C'mon guys, show of hands-- who's having 'problems?'

 

Not sure why this is suddenly so topical but a Google alert I created to try to catch updates on bike crashes just pulled this in:

http://www.emaxhealth.com/8782/can-bicycle-seats-cause-erectile-dys...

Permalink Reply by Dave Jacque on November 7, 2011 at 7:29am
(Sheepishly raises hand) Won't get into details, but a no-nose saddle solved an issue I had on longer rides. The seat is sensational ;-)
Permalink Reply by Bernard Joseph Hannigan on November 7, 2011 at 9:00am
Brooks...The only way to fly....The saddle is never an issue with a B-17 or B-67. A properly oiled, adjusted Brooks acts like a hammock, the break in period is only around 500 miles. Many woman have said they do NOT like the female specific type "S" saddle, which is a tad shorter than the regular version.
Permalink Reply by Bernard Joseph Hannigan on November 7, 2011 at 11:37am

Here is my B-67, into year two with 7,500 miles on it...There was not much info out there on adjusting...

With me on the bike, the saddle rides about a fore finger width above the rails.

I went ACAINST Sheldon Brown's advice, and gave it a serious soaking in neatsfoot oil. I saw no problem with this as this is how I treated leather tack for horses. This resulted in a quick break in period. Visually, the saddle does appear to point upward, but is in fact still level. The "sag" that has developed is about 5/8".The other photo shows the adjustment screw which I have turned 7 full turns over the two year period...Excessive due to the neatsfoot treatment? Don't know.

This study should look at Brooks VS other saddles regarding blood flow. Personally, I have had ZERO complaints from either Go or Nad in this regard with a Brooks.

Permalink Reply by Bernard Joseph Hannigan on November 7, 2011 at 11:41am
Permalink Reply by Anne on November 7, 2011 at 2:57pm

Two billion Chinese...and that is with the "one child per family" law. Apparently riding bikes doesn't affect virility in that population.

Specialized saddles were bred and marketed on this scare tactic in the late 90's. It's funny how women were cutting out their saddles in the 70's to relieve soft tissue numbness (which I will agree can happen to anyone, but can be addressed by tilt or different saddle), but the when the Me Male Generation started aging, any product that can "fix" a problem is the hot thing to sell.

In my bike fitting experience, a beer gut can cause more discomfort for "the boys" no matter the tilt or the model of saddle. Can't fix that by selling you a new saddle!

 

Instead of spending time on senseless studies that blame healthy exercise as a danger to reproductive health, why not pursue real science and social services that go towards cures, treatments and positive reproductive support for both sexes?

Permalink Reply by Mike Zumwalt on November 7, 2011 at 5:44pm

I tilt my seat downward to make the slide off to stop quickly easier and you should just be riding on your butt.

It's recommended that any thing over a half hour you should stand while riding as well.

Jeff Schneider said:

The recommendations are a mixed bag, I think.  No padding, makes sense.  Tilting the nose down, sounds uncomfortable/impossible.

h' said:

C'mon guys, show of hands-- who's having 'problems?'

 

Not sure why this is suddenly so topical but a Google alert I created to try to catch updates on bike crashes just pulled this in:

http://www.emaxhealth.com/8782/can-bicycle-seats-cause-erectile-dys...

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