Review article

Men and Sports – Truths and Misconceptions about Exercise

Viktor Ivaniš

Abstract

Regular physical activity plays a vital preventive and therapeutic role in men’s health and diminishes the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. The male body is typified by specific anatomical and physiological characteristics - including higher testosterone levels, greater muscle mass, higher VO2max and greater stroke volume - which enhance sports performance, but also increase the risk of musculoskeletal injuries, overload and the incidence of arrhythmias, especially atrial fibrillation in prolonged high-intensity activity. Intense or unstructured exercise may incite acute cardiovascular events, hypertensive responses, ischemic episodes and transient or permanent damage to renal function in already susceptible men. Similarly, there is an increased use of dietary supplements, with multi-ingredient performance supplements and anabolic androgenic steroids carrying substantial cardiometabolic risks. Moderate and properly programmed physical activity improves heart and kidney function, while extreme or impulsive exertion can have detrimental effects. Individualization of training, rational supplementation, detection of symptoms and regular medical assessments are vital to safe physical activity in men.

Keywords

men, physical activity, physiological differences, cardiovascular risk, supplementation, arrhythmias, kidney function

Hrčak ID:

345172

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/345172

Publication date:

26.2.2026.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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