Table 3.

Physical activity and improvement of erectile function in included studies

Study (population group)	Intervention group	Control group	Study follow-up	IIEF measure	Mean IIEF∗ or IIEF-5† score at baseline (SD of range)	Mean IIEF∗ or IIEF-5† score at follow-up (SD of range)	Relative improvement of mean IIEF
Maio et al, 2010 (PAI)	Aerobic, moderate intensity, ≥3 h/wk + PDE5I; mean PA = 3.4 h/wk	PDE5I, mean PA = 0.43 h/wk	3 mo	IIEF (max = 30)	I = 15.8 (4.2), mild; C = 15.5 (4.2), mild	I = 26.8 (2.2), no; C = 24.7 (2.6), mild	I = 70%; C = 59%
La Vignera et al, 2011 (PAI)	Aerobic, mild to moderate intensity (40–60% of HRmax), 150 min/wk	Mediterranean diet	3 mo	IIEF-5 (max = 25)	I = 11.0 (1.0), moderate; C = 10.5 (0.7), moderate	I = 16.5 (1.0), mild to moderate; C = 11.0 (0.7), moderate	I = 50%; C = 5%
Esposito et al, 2009 (obesity)	Aerobic, moderate intensity, ≥5 sessions of 30 min/wk + resistance training	Guidance on increasing level of PA and healthy food	2 y	IIEF-5 (max = 25)	I = 17.6 (3.8), mild; C = 17.8 (3.7), mild; I = 34%¶; C = 36%¶	I = mean IIEF-5 score NR; C = mean IIEF-5 score NR; I = 56%¶; C = 38%¶	NA
Khoo et al, 2013 (obesity)	Aerobic, moderate intensity (55–70% HRmax), 5–7 sessions of 30–60 min, total = 200–300 min/wk	Moderate-intensity aerobic PA 90–150 min/wk + diet	24 wk	IIEF-5 (max = 25)	I = 18.1 (0.9), mild; C = 18.3 (0.9), mild	I = 20.7 (0.7), mild; C = 20.1 (0.8), mild	I = 14%; C = 10%
Lamina et al, 2009 (HTN)	Aerobic, moderate to vigorous intensity (60–79% HRmax), 3 sessions of 45–60 min/wk	Advised not to increase PA	8 wk	IIEF (max = 30)	I = 11.5 (5.3), moderate; C =: 8.1 (4.0), moderate	I = 15.1 (4.9), mild; C = 8.9 (3.9), moderate	I = 32%; C = 10%
Maresca et al, 2013 (MetS)	Aerobic, moderate intensity (65% VO2), 3 sessions of 40 min/wk + tadalafil	Informed about usefulness of PA + tadalafil	2 mo	IIEF (max = 30)	I = 10.8 (2.0), moderate; C = 11.2 (2.1), moderate	I = 20.1 (2.3), mild; C = 14.2 (2.2), mild to moderate	I = 86%; C = 27%
Kalka et al, 2013 (CVD‡)	Aerobic, moderate to vigorous intensity, 3 sessions of 45 min/wk + resistance exercises	Received general health advice + health advice	6 mo	IIEF-5 (max = 25)	I = 12.5 (5.9), mild; C = 12.3 (5.8), mild	I = 14.4 (6.8), mild; C = 12.4 (5.7), mild	I = 15%; C = 1%
Kalka et al, 2015 (CVD‡)	Aerobic, moderate to vigorous intensity, 3 sessions of 45 min/wk + peak + resistance training	Individual recommendation about active lifestyle	6 mo	IIEF-5 (max = 25)	I = 12.5 (6.0), mild; C = NA	I = 14.4 (6.9), mild; C = NA (does not differ from C at baseline)	I = 15%; C = 0%
Kalka et al, 2016 (CVD§)	Aerobic, moderate to vigorous intensity + resistance training	Recommendation about active lifestyle	6 mo	IIEF-5 (max = 25)	I = 13.2 (5.7), mild; C = 13.2‡, mild	I = 15.4 (6.5), mild; C = 12.4 (5.7), mild	I = 15%; C = −5%
Begot et al, 2015 (CVD‖)	Aerobic, mild to moderate intensity, 4 sessions of 30–50 min/wk	Usual care, guidance on continuing PA	1 mo	IIEF (max = 30)	I = mean IIEF score NR; C = mean IIEF score NR; I = 84% ED; C = 83% ED	I = mean IIEF score NR; C = mean IIEF score NR; I = 12% ED; C = 93% ED	NA

C = control; CVD = cardiovascular disease; ED = erectile dysfunction; HTN = hypertension; HR_max = maximum heart rate; I = intervention; IIEF = International Index of Erectile Function; IIEF-5 = 5-item International Index of Erectile Function; max = maximum score; MetS = metabolic syndrome; NA = not available; NR = not reported; PA = physical activity; PAI = physically inactive; PDE5I = phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor; VO₂ = oxygen consumption per unit time.

^∗Score 26–30 = no ED; score 17–25 = mild ED; score 11–16 = moderate ED; score ≤ 10 = severe ED.

^†Score 22–25 = no ED; score 17–21 = mild ED; score 12–16 = mild to moderate ED; score 8–11 = moderate ED; score 5–7 = severe ED.

^‡Implicitly reported in the article.

^§Invasively treated for ischemic heart disease.

^‖Myocardial infarctions.

^¶Percentage with normal erectile function.