A small research project "deem[s] possible that exercising at a moderate pace may result in a more proper environment for the sperm production processes."

The U.S. Army/Flickr

PROBLEM: Lifestyle factors may impact men's reproductive capabilities: It's been variably suggested that bicycling, wearing skinny jeans, actually putting a laptop on your lap, and the use of drugs and alcohol can decrease sperm quality to some extent. In that same (moderately speculative) vein, might healthy habits help make sperm better, faster, and stronger?

METHODOLOGY: Researchers at the University of Cordoba collected the blood and semen of 31 men, 16 who had maintained a baseline of physical activity over the past year and 15 who they classified as sedentary. Their fitness level was tested in the lab. Those who got their exercise from bicycling were excluded. All were asked to abstain from both intercourse and exercise in the days leading up to the study.

The samples were evaluated based on the World Health Organization's sperm quality parameters, with attention paid to: