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Quality in Sport

The Role of Physical Activity in Preventing and Treating Erectile Dysfunction: Review
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The Role of Physical Activity in Preventing and Treating Erectile Dysfunction

Review

Authors

  • Katarzyna Michalak Szpital Morski im. PCK in Gdynia, Powstania Styczniowego 1, 81-519 Gdynia, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0856-1536
  • Weronika Jarych Szpital Morski im. PCK in Gdynia, Powstania Styczniowego 1, 81-519 Gdynia, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1335-8072
  • Krystian Zukierski Szpital Morski im. PCK in Gdynia, Powstania Styczniowego 1, 81-519 Gdynia, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1428-5744
  • Michał Mazur Saint Adalbert Hospital in Gdańsk, aleja Jana Pawła II 50, 80-462 Gdańsk, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0007-8157-5293
  • Katarzyna Żak Saint Adalbert Hospital in Gdańsk, aleja Jana Pawła II 50, 80-462 Gdańsk, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4036-090X
  • Hubert Jucha Fundacja Zdrowie, Wilhelma Konrada Roentgena 23, 02-781 Warszawa, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0002-0182-627X
  • Katarzyna Madyniak Medical University of Warsaw, Żwirki I Wigury 61, 02-091 Warszawa, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6927-3832
  • Aleksandra Pliszka Saint Adalbert Hospital in Gdańsk, aleja Jana Pawła II 50, 80-462 Gdańsk, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-5938-5929
  • Agnieszka Kluz Wolski Hospital, Kasprzaka 17, 01-211 Warszawa, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-7427-5818

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12775/QS.2025.40.59805

Keywords

impotence, erectile dysfunction, physical activity, exercise

Abstract

Introduction and aim:  Erectile dysfunction has a significant impact on quality of life, substantially reducing both the mental and physical well-being of the affected men. This study examines the role of physical activity in the prevention and treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Methods and materials: A comprehensive literature review was undertaken using the PubMed and Google Scholar databases, focusing on studies published between 2010-2025. The search strategy aimed to gather anextensive range of research on the role of physical activity on the course of ED. Key search terms included “impotence”, “erectile dysfunction”, “physical activity”, “exercise”. 

Results and conclusion: Regular physical activity plays a key role in preventing and treating erectile dysfunction by improving cardiovascular health, managing obesity and diabetes, regulating testosterone, and enhancing overall well-being. The review highlights aerobic exercise as the most effective, with added benefits from strength training and pelvic floor exercises. Even low-intensity activity like walking can help. Long-term, consistent training is essential, and exercise plans should be tailored to individual needs and abilities. For best results, physical activity should be part of a broader lifestyle change.

References

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3. Kijima FJ, Motta LC, Cavalcante JS, et al. Prevalence and quality of life associated with erectile dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptoms: a cross-sectional study. Sao Paulo Med J. 2024;143(1):e2024045. doi:10.1590/1516-3180.2024.0045.R1.03072024

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13. Palermi S, Iacono O, Sirico F, et al. The complex relationship between physical activity and diabetes: an overview. J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol. 2022;33(5):535-547. doi:10.1515/jbcpp-2021-0279

14. Minami H, Furukawa S, Sakai T, et al. Physical activity and prevalence of erectile dysfunction in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: The Dogo Study. J Diabetes Investig. 2018;9(1):193-198. doi:10.1111/jdi.12660

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16. Gerbild H, Areskoug Josefsson K, Marie Larsen C, Schantz Laursen B. Communication about physical activity to reduce vascular erectile dysfunction - A qualitative interview study among men in cardiac rehabilitation. Scand J Caring Sci. 2022;36(3):839-851. doi:10.1111/scs.13021

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23. Duca Y, Calogero AE, Cannarella R, et al. Erectile dysfunction, physical activity and physical exercise: Recommendations for clinical practice. Andrologia. 2019;51(5):e13264. doi:10.1111/and.13264

24. Chung E, Rhee H. Impact of Physical Exercise Program Interventions on Erectile Function and Cardiovascular Health in Males with Prostate Cancer. The World Journal of Men’s Health. 2022;40(3):361-367. doi:10.5534/wjmh.210032

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26. Myers C, Smith M. Pelvic floor muscle training improves erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation: a systematic review. Physiotherapy. 2019;105(2):235-243. doi:10.1016/j.physio.2019.01.002

27. Wong C, Louie DR, Beach C. A Systematic Review of Pelvic Floor Muscle Training for Erectile Dysfunction After Prostatectomy and Recommendations to Guide Further Research. The Journal of Sexual Medicine. 2020;17(4):737-748. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2020.01.008

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Published

2025-04-14

How to Cite

1.
MICHALAK, Katarzyna, JARYCH, Weronika, ZUKIERSKI, Krystian, MAZUR, Michał, ŻAK, Katarzyna, JUCHA, Hubert, MADYNIAK, Katarzyna, PLISZKA, Aleksandra and KLUZ, Agnieszka. The Role of Physical Activity in Preventing and Treating Erectile Dysfunction: Review. Quality in Sport. Online. 14 April 2025. Vol. 40, p. 59805. [Accessed 25 December 2025]. DOI 10.12775/QS.2025.40.59805.
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Vol. 40 (2025)

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Copyright (c) 2025 Katarzyna Michalak, Weronika Jarych, Krystian Zukierski, Michał Mazur, Katarzyna Żak, Hubert Jucha, Katarzyna Madyniak, Aleksandra Pliszka, Agnieszka Kluz

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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