Male Reproductive Health Effects of Bicycle Saddles: The Contribution of Ergonomics and Design

Details

• Personal Author:
  Breitenstein, Michael J. ; Lowe, Brian D. ; Schraderr SM
• Description:
  Bicycle saddle use has been implicated as a risk factor for male reproductive health disorders in numerous anecdotal reports and a growing number of scientific studies. The U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has been investigating this issue as an occupational health concern that originated from complaints of groin numbness and sexual function problems from members of a security bicycle patrol unit. To date, two studies addressing this issue have been conducted. The first study demonstrated an inverse relationship between the duration and magnitude of pressure on the perineum (groin) from the bicycle saddle and measures of male erectile function. The second study confirmed the hypothesis that bicycle saddle designs without a narrow protruding nose reduce the pressure in the perineum of the cyclist. A third study is being conducted to determine whether this reduction in perineal pressure will reduce symptoms of erectile dysfunction and whether no-nose saddles can be effectively incorporated in police and security patrol cycling . These studies highlight the contribution and importance of ergonomic design in reducing soft tissue trauma that may impair male sexual and reproductive function. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Ergonomics Men Occupational Health Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety Urogenital Diseases Urogenital System
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Product Design Bicycle Patrol Bicycles Bicycle Saddles Equipment Design Health Effects Humans Physiological Effects Physiological Function Physiology Product Comfort Reproductive Health Reproductive System Disorders Risk Factors Sexual Dysfunction

  More +
• ISBN:
  9780080450551
• Publisher:
  International Ergonomics Association
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Proceedings
• Place as Subject:
  Ohio ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DART - Division of Applied Research and Technology
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1-5
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20050356
• Citation:
  Proceedings of the 16th World Congress on Ergonomics (IEA2006), July 10-14, 2006, Maastricht, The Netherlands. Pikaar RN, Koningsveld EAP, Settels PJM, eds. Madison, WI: International Ergonomics Association, 2006 Jul; :1-5
• Editor(s):
  Pikaar RN; Koningsveld EAP; Settels PJM
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2006
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  Proceedings of the 16th World Congress on Ergonomics (IEA2006), July 10-14, 2006, Maastricht, The Netherlands
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:ec0aade5911192617873bb818ae17cf0b9a025188285fdb2cf793536fa1c574ec4d7447d347038d6dc11c4a8da9a1c95b8238b05680d1ef42b9c6aa66546037a
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/210737/cdc_210737_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 308.07 KB ]