Exercise is important for impotence
By Kat Carney
CNN Headline News
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(CNN) -- It turns out the amount of physical activity a man engages in is a good predictor of how much "physical activity" a man can engage in in the bedroom.
In a study of close to 32,000 male health professionals between 53 and 90, researchers looked at which "lifestyle" and health factors affected erectile dysfunction.
Men who were able to run at least three hours a week had a 30 percent lower risk of impotence when compared to men who didn't exercise.
Even better, men who were able to run at least three hours a week appeared to have the sexual ability of men two to five years their junior.
For men who don't want to run, brisk walking 30 minutes a day, most days of the week, also resulted in a 15 percent to 20 percent reduction in erectile dysfunction.
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Researcher Eric Rimm says exercise affects erectile dysfunction by benefiting the smaller arteries that control erections.
While it's true that exercise can help prevent heart disease, Rimm adds that problems in the bedroom may be an early warning of heart problems.
Rimm and other experts hope this new research will motivate more men to get out and exercise -- if not for their heart, for their manhood.
One caveat: Researchers say that exercise can only help before impotence develops. To date, there's no evidence that exercise can reverse impotence.
The results of this study are published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine.
