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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Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on January 7, 2012 at 9:42am

Chicago Reader, January 5, 2012:

Thus far, the study has had 16 volunteer subjects, most of them in their 30s and 40s.  Six different seats have been tested—three with noses and three without. "You'd expect that just taking the nose away would solve the problem" because it's the nose that presses on the arteries, Niederberger says. "It turns out that works for some men, but for others it makes it worse."

Sujeeth Parthiban, a bioengineering PhD student who runs the research, explains why noseless isn't the answer. "People feel discomfort on the noseless seats and try to push back, which ends up with them sitting on the arteries. After those rides, we ask volunteers to rate noseless seats based on comfort level, and they are rated pretty poorly."

Niederberger advises bicyclists not to buy into the hype when a seat design is heralded for preventing blockage and improving blood flow. Bicyclists whose seats are comfortable should stick with their seats "until there are better seats out there actually based on data."

Niederberger admits the ideal seat may not be offered at your neighborhood bike shop any time soon. "I hoped we would find an existing seat that was good for all men. So far we haven't found the Holy Grail of seats. I think we're just going to end up making one.

(Want to volunteer for the study? Call 312-996-9330.)

Permalink Reply by Bernard Joseph Hannigan on January 7, 2012 at 1:26pm

Geez.....If I had all those wires running to my unit, I might end up with one of those "lasting for more than four hours" deal...BTW they seemed to test the narrow speed racer type saddle, and the big padded saddles....Did not see a Brooks in the mix...The over 100 year old hammock concept/ design of Brooks is the grail they seek

Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on January 7, 2012 at 2:24pm

So, volunteer for the study and use your Brooks-equipped bike for their test.  Prove your hunch scientifically and win the gratitude of men everywhere.  Plus you may land a job as VP of Marketing for Brooks.
 
Bernard Joseph Hannigan said:

Did not see a Brooks in the mix...The over 100 year old hammock concept/ design of Brooks is the grail they seek

Permalink Reply by Bernard Joseph Hannigan on January 7, 2012 at 2:33pm

Think of the consequence if the study did find a manufacturer whose saddle was the silver bullet.

Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on January 7, 2012 at 2:54pm

I'd be buying up shares of that stock like crazy.  Plus I'd get me a new saddle.
 
Bernard Joseph Hannigan said:

Think of the consequence if the study did find a manufacturer whose saddle was the silver bullet.

Permalink Reply by Marc A. Irwin on January 9, 2012 at 3:38am
My personal study is the result of forty years of experience:
http://simplecycle-marc.blogspot.com/2011/02/great-saddle-conspirac...

The end result of my experience is simple, no problems so far.  On the other hand,I'm a commuter/tourist so I don't ride in a racer's tuck on 120psi tires all the time.
Comfort is king to me.

Marc

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