Active lifestyle may lower man's risk of sexual inability:

In the study, researchers wanted to determine whether lifestyle had an effect on a man's sexual ability, particularly on middle-aged men - those between the ages of 40 and 70 years of age. The study's authors analyzed the data from nearly 600 men who had participated in the Massachusetts Male Aging Study.

At the study's initial stage, the researchers analyzed the lifestyle habits and health of the participating men. At this time, none of the men had been diagnosed with erectile dysfunction, heart disease, or diabetes.

Eight years later, the researchers evaluated the same men, analyzing any changes with their lifestyle, in comparison to any problems with erectile dysfunction. It was found that half of the men who smoked had now quit and that half of the heavy drinkers - those drinking more than three alcoholic drinks a day - had reduced their alcohol intake.

Eighteen percent of the men who were then considered obese had lost weight, and slightly over half of the men once considered sedentary were now consistently exercising and burning at least 200 calories a day through physical activity. It was also found that 17 percent of the men suffered from erectile dysfunction.

What made an impact in regards to sexual dysfunction?

The researchers found that the higher number of those suffering from sexual dysfunction were the men who had been obese at the study's initial stages. The researchers also found that the men with the sedentary lifestyle at the study's follow-up had a higher incidence of erectile dysfunction, regardless of their activity level when the study initially started eight years ago.

In terms of smoking and heavy drinking, no connection leading to an increased risk of erectile dysfunction was found, making it obvious to the researchers that weight and physical activity played stronger roles when it comes to impotence.

The researchers also discovered that the greatest risk of impotence was among the middle-aged men who had remained sedentary throughout the eight years of the study, as well as those who had gained weight.

When it comes to improving sexual ability, the good news is that exercise can make a difference no matter what age you start. The study indicates the risk of sexual inability is lowered with moderate, consistent exercise. But do not overdo it. The researchers also pointed out that the study participants doing the most intense exercise had a higher level of impotence than the men who moderately exercised.

(This information is an excerpt taken from this original Cornell University website click the link for the full article)

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