Interrelation between cycling and renal and urological health: A bibliometric and systematic review.

Abstract

This systematic and bibliometric review synthesizes current knowledge of the relationship between cycling, renal and urological health. A comprehensive search of databases from 2000 to 2023 yielded 38 relevant studies. Bibliometric analysis revealed research trends, key institutions, authors, and countries that contributed to this field. This review discusses the benefits and risks associated with cycling. Benefits included improved cardiovascular health and metabolic function. However, cycling was also associated with urological symptoms, particularly in women, and with risks of erectile dysfunction and genital numbness in both genders. Mountain biking demonstrated higher rates of scrotal pathologies. Saddle design, riding position, and cycling intensity significantly influenced perineal pressure and potential urological issues. Renal biomarkers indicated dehydration, muscle damage, and potential renal insufficiencies in cyclists, especially after prolonged and intense activity. Elevated inflammatory markers and reduced glomerular filtration rates were observed post-cycling. Sodium intake and L-tryptophan supplementation demonstrated positive effects on fatigue reduction and recovery. The review identified research gaps, including limited long-term studies and inconsistent methodologies. Future research should focus on the relationship between high-volume cycling and prostate cancer risk, optimizing bicycle design to reduce urological issues, and developing reliable methods to measure saddle pressure effects on renal health. This review provided valuable insights for cyclists, health professionals, and researchers, emphasizing the need for awareness of potential health impacts and the importance of proper equipment and techniques to minimize risks while maximizing cycling benefits.