Effect of graded bicycle seat pressure on perineal compression: a magnetic resonance imaging analysis: Figure 1

Bressel, Eadric; Parker, Dan

doi:10.1136/bjsm.2008.046227

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 10 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Recent data presented by Bressel and Nuckles [33] reported similar perineal pressures (22.7 kPa) in cyclists using a traditional racing saddle. That study indicated that the perineal pressure must be reduced by 60% (to approximately 7 kPa) to remove compression to the corpus spongiosum and corpora cavernosa of the cyclist measured using MRI.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 67%

Cutting Off the Nose to Save the Penis

Schrader

Breitenstein

Lowe

2008

The Journal of Sexual Medicine

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Introduction The average bicycle police officer spends 24 hours a week on his bicycle and previous studies have shown riding a bicycle with a traditional (nosed) saddle has been associated with urogenital paresthesia and sexual dysfunction. Aim The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the no-nose bicycle saddle as an ergonomic intervention and their acceptance among male bicycle police officers. Methods Bicycle police officers from five U.S. metropolitan areas were recruited for this study. Officers completed: (i) the International Index of Erectile Function Questionnaire (IIEF); (ii) computerized pressure measurements at the points of contact on the bicycle; the handlebars, the pedals, and the saddle; (iii) one night of nocturnal Rigiscan® assessment; (iv) penile vibrotactile sensitivity threshold assessed by computerized biothesiometery. Officers selected a no-nose saddle for their bicycles and were asked to use the intervention saddle exclusively for 6 months, at which point they were retested. Main Outcome Measures Perineal pressure, urogenital numbness, penile vibrotactile sensitivity threshold, erectile function as measure by International Index of Erectile Function Questionnaire (IIEF) and Rigiscan. Results After 6 months, 90 men were reassessed. Only three men had returned to a traditional saddle. The results are presented for those who used the no-nose saddle continuously for 6 months. There was a 66% reduction in saddle contact pressure in the perineal region (P < 0.001). There was a significant improvement in penis tactile sensation (P = 0.015). There was a significant improvement in erectile function assessed by IIEF (P = 0.015). There were no changes noted in the Rigiscan® measures. The number of men indicating they had not experienced urogential paresthesia while cycling for the preceding 6 months, rose from 27% to 82% using no-nose saddles. Conclusion (i) With few exceptions, bicycle police officers were able to effectively use no-nose saddles in their police work. (ii) Use of no-nose saddles reduced most perineal pressure. (iii) Penile health improved after 6 month using no-nose saddles as measured by biothesiometry and IIEF. There was no improvement in Rigiscan® measure after 6 months of using no nose saddles, suggesting that a longer recovery time may be needed.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 67%

Cutting Off the Nose to Save the Penis

Schrader

Breitenstein

Lowe

2008

The Journal of Sexual Medicine

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“… Bressel & Parker, (2010) observed that a 60% reduction of typical seated pressure resulted in reduced perineal compression. Lowe, Schrader & Breitenstein (2004) showed that the “no-nose” saddles resulted in reduction of pressure in the anterior region by more than 40% in a stationary trial setting.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A novel method to determine perineal artery occlusion among male bicyclists

Parthiban

Hotaling

Kathrins

et al. 2015

PeerJ

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background. Perineal pressure due to bicycle riding has been associated with erectile dysfunction. We developed a novel method to measure the occlusive force exerted over the perineal arteries and determined perineal artery occlusion by a variety of seat designs.Methods. Doppler ultrasonography facilitated perineal artery localization and determination of the force required for perineal artery occlusion in 20 healthy men. Flexiforce® sensors were affixed over the proximal and distal aspects of the perineal arteries bilaterally. Individuals completed bicycle rides in the road- and stationary-settings with six distinct seat designs, including those with and without an anterior “nose.”Results. The occlusion time proportion of the total ride time was calculated for each trial. The overall occlusion time proportion was 0.59 (95% CI [0.45–0.73]) across all seats and settings. The “no-nose” bicycle seat and the stationary-setting demonstrated significantly lower occlusion proportion times than the traditional nose bicycle seat and road-setting, respectively. However, all bicycle seats yielded an occlusion time proportion of 0.41 or greater.Discussion. Our method of real-time, non-invasive force measurement localized to the perineal arteries may be used to validate future bicycle seat design. It also underscores the significant risk of perineal artery insufficiency in men who are avid bicyclists. This risk may be minimized by using newer “no-nose” bicycle seats.

show abstract

“…At least a 60% reduction of anterior seat pressure is necessary to significantly decrease internal perineal compression [40]. Using the no-nose saddle resulted in a 71% reduction, which was associated with an increase of penile oxygen pressure, reduction of the discomfort in the perineum, and a smaller incidence of perineal numbness.…”

Section: Different Types Of Saddlementioning

confidence: 99%

Strategies for Reducing the Impact of Cycling on the Perineum in Healthy Males: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Introduction Perineal pressure associated with bicycle riding is the cause of several genitourinary pathologies, most notably Alcock’s syndrome and subsequent perineal numbness. The possible link between cycling-induced perineal numbness and erectile dysfunction makes the development of strategies for perineal protection in bicycle users critical. Objective To assess the effectiveness of strategies for reducing the impact of cycling on the perineum in healthy males. Methods We have conducted a systematic review and a meta-analysis of studies examining various means of reducing the impact of cycling on the perineum under the PRISMA guidelines. Results Out of 2217 screened studies, 22 met our inclusion criteria, and 6 qualified for meta-analysis. The strategies included various designs of saddles, changes in the cycling position, seat shock absorber, shorts with different padding, using the recumbent bike. Using the no-nose saddle and recumbent bike resulted in a significant reduction of perineal pressure and higher penile oxygen pressure compared with a standard saddle. Indirect evidence supports the protective effect of standing on the pedals every few minutes during cycling. More evidence is needed to support—or dismiss—other strategies. Conclusions Current evidence supports the use of no-nose saddles as a mean to reduce the negative impact of cycling on the perineum in healthy males at the cost of worse stability and increase of posterior seat pressure. Standing on the pedals every ten minutes might be an effective and potentially widely applicable strategy. The use of a recumbent bike appears to protect the perineum, but several concerns prevent its widespread use.

show abstract

Effect of graded bicycle seat pressure on perineal compression: a magnetic resonance imaging analysis: Figure 1

Abstract: Substantial compression of the perineal cavernous spaces may occur with total seat pressure values of less than 40% of typical seat loads.

Cited by 5 publications

References 10 publications

Cutting Off the Nose to Save the Penis

Cutting Off the Nose to Save the Penis

A novel method to determine perineal artery occlusion among male bicyclists

Strategies for Reducing the Impact of Cycling on the Perineum in Healthy Males: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About