Using a commercial protein assay kit (Bio-Rad Labs, Hercules, CA, USA), aliquots (20 μL) of the diluted testicular and semen samples were mixed with 980 μL of distilled water and then, 200 μL Bradford reagent was added to each sample. A low HBA score suggests a low proportion of mature sperm, while a higher HBA score shows the normal presence of healthy, mature sperm. Each swimming training session lasted for 25 min, and all training sessions were performed in the mornings. During the study, all efforts were made to minimize the stress factors for the animals. Interestingly, literature data on the impact of exercise training on testicular function are controversial. Moreover, we have also demonstrated that ISO-induced oxidative stress generates inflammation via the upregulation of MPO, TNF-α, and IL-6, which should also contribute to the reduction in testosterone concentrations and the reduced ratio of mature sperm, leading to infertility. This reduced testicular GSH level may also play a role in the impairment of testosterone biosynthesis after ISO treatment. Irrespective of the causative agent, oxidative stress (e.g., ISO treatment in our experiment) disrupts the oxidant/antioxidant balance and influences the vascular tone and testicular blood flow. In a previous study, Wagner et al. summarized that ROS is a potential contributor to male infertility, which has been reported in the literature since the 1940s. Serum testosterone levels were measured at the end of the experimental period in all groups. The parameters of the pool and conditions used for swimming training were also determined and prepared on the basis of a previously accepted publication . The buoyancy of water reduces impact on joints, allowing for longer training sessions with less risk of injury. Swimming presents a distinct profile compared to other endurance sports. Testosterone is a crucial hormone in both men and women, although it is present in significantly higher concentrations in men. Swimming engages nearly every muscle group in the body, providing a full-body workout with minimal impact on the joints. According to the National Sleep Foundation, men who engage in aerobic exercise like swimming report deeper, better-quality sleep. Exercise resets your body’s natural rhythm, and swimming is no exception. A 2017 study found that swimmers had a 28% lower risk of early death and a 41% reduced risk of dying from heart disease or stroke. Pre-treatment swimming or post-treatment swimming, separately, induced a significant increase in the level of testosterone compared to the non-trained ISO group. Then, total testosterone levels were measured with the Immulite 2000XPi (Siemens, Munich, Germany) chemiluminescent immunoassay and expressed as ng/dL. Our findings can serve as the first evidence that swimming exercise confers sustained protection from ISO-induced adverse effects on inflammatory parameters in the male reproductive system. Moderate exercise training decreases the risks of cardiovascular disorders and contributes to the prevention of non-communicable chronic diseases . Moderate-intensity swimming exercise effectively alleviated the negative effects of high oxidative stress. Serum testosterone levels, sperms’ hyaluronan binding, and GSH content were found to be significantly reduced, while MPO, TNF alpha and IL6 concentrations in the testis and semen were elevated after the ISO treatment compared to the CTRL group. A 2007 study suggests that brief exposure to cold temperature actually decreases testosterone levels in your blood. This approach maximises endurance while improving speed and efficiency. The rule suggests spending 80% of training at low intensity and 20% at high intensity. Each session should last minutes for optimal health benefits. Swimming 2-3 times a week is ideal for beginners, while intermediate swimmers can aim for 3-5 sessions weekly. However, both are effective for cardio; swimming may burn more calories depending on intensity. Is swimming better than the treadmill? Consistent swimming, combined with proper nutrition, can help develop a six-pack. Swimming increases the release of feel-good hormones like endorphins and mimics the soothing effects of a massage, thanks to the natural buoyancy of water. High stress levels can wreak havoc on men's physical and mental health. It also complements strength training exercises by relieving muscle fatigue while keeping fitness gains on track. Among the top swimming benefits for male health, this one’s a lifesaver—literally. Depending on the results, they may also order a free testosterone test and other hormone panels to assess your overall hormonal health. Where appropriate, post-hoc contrasts were performed with the Tukey test and Cohen’s d calculated as an effectsize statistic. To evaluate training efficacy, each variable was examined using a two-way (i.e., time 3 levels, sex 2 levels) analysis of variance with repeated measures. To prevent sample contamination, the swimmers were asked to restrict food or fluid intake at least 30 minutes before sampling. Post-session samples (Mondays and Fridays only) were collected ~10 minutes after exercise completion, so that a hormonal change score can be calculated to index the acute hormone response to exercise. On average, around 52% of daily swimming distance was completed in the morning session, which indicates that training was evenly distributed across AM and PM sessions. Specifically, the highest volume of swim-based training was prescribed on Monday and Tuesday, with a gradual reduction in training load from Wednesday to Saturday.
