Is it NECESSARY to wear a SUPPORTER during a Workout?
A supporter is an accessory that people wear while exercising or working out. Other names for a supporter include jockstraps, kaupinam and langot. As the name suggests, a supporter is an accessory that holds the genitals in one place, thereby allegedly protecting them from damage while exercising or while doing vigorous movements. We are recommended not to exercise or workout without wearing a supporter as it may damage our reproductive system making us impotent. Supporters are also said to help prevent conditions like hernia and hydrocele. In fact, trainers, coaches and even some doctors insist on using supporters while exercising, training, working out or playing a sport. With so much advice and warnings coming from all directions, we need to answer fundamental one question, is it necessary to wear a supporter during a workout? Let's find out with the help of science.
How did SUPPORTERS Come into Existence?
Supporters have been in existence for more than 5,000 years. In the Vedic times, they were around in the form of langots. These were worn by Yogis while practising Yog. Then, the langots got introduced to sports like traditional wrestling or kushti, aerial yoga or mallakhamba etc.
The modern-day supporter came into existence in 1874. A Chicago based company called Sharp & Smith manufactured them. Sharp & Smith manufactured supporters exclusively for male cyclists taking bumpy rides on bad roads. Supporters offered the cyclists greater comfort by holding their genitals at one place while riding on bad patches.
Let's BUST some popular MYTHS regarding SUPPORTERS:
#1 Wearing a supporter prevents hernia:
A hernia is a medical condition that pushes internal organs through the weakest spot in our tissues or muscles. Activities like exercise or certain sports increase intra-abdominal pressure. A supporter was thought to increase external pressure on the abdominal so that hernia does not occur. Although that sounds scientific, numerous studies have concluded that a supporter does not play any role in preventing hernia. Thus, a supporter has no relation with a hernia. Wearing a supporter does not prevent hernia.
#2 Wearing a supporter prevents hydrocele:
Hydrocele is a medical condition that occurs when fluids collect in the sheath around the testicles resulting in swelling of the scrotum. It can occur due to injury or inflammation of the scrotum. Hydrocele is quite common in infants and corrects itself with time. There is no conclusive scientific evidence supporting the use of supporters to prevent hydrocele. Thus, a supporter has no connection with hydrocele. Likewise, wearing a supporter does not prevent hydrocele.
#3 Wearing a supporter prevents impotence:
Impotence is a medical condition where it becomes nearly impossible to achieve or maintain an erection or ejaculate consistently. There are several causes of impotence. However, scientific experiments conclude that a supporter does not help prevent impotence. On the contrary, wearing a tight supporter for too long may affect sperm count and testosterone production. Thus, a supporter does not prevent impotence.
#4 An L Guard works as a supporter:
An L-guard is a cup made of rigid plastic that protects the genitalia. One can insert it between the genitals and underwear or put it in a jockstrap. The L-guard is particularly useful in cricket, baseball, tennis, etc., as it protects the genitals from getting hit by the ball. However, an L-guard is only a safety device necessary for sports.
Is it NECESSARY to Wear a SUPPORTER during Workout?
Based on ample scientific evidence, we don't require a supporter for working out at a gym. No doubt, a supporter helps keep the genitals in one place. However, it offers no protection from hernia, hydrocele, or impotence. Exercising at the gym does not require a specialised supporter as even well-fitting underwear can do the job. Most modern age supporters are highly uncomfortable and may even negatively affect performance due to the sheer discomfort. So, it's time to ditch that supporter!
Our ancestors could run long distances and sprint as needed while hunting or managing a threat.
However, supporters were not even existent back then. Almost all tribes in today's world use no unique clothing or accessory for testicular support. These are the same men who hunt and gather for survival. They sprint, run long distances, jump, climb, squat, lift heavy weights without supporting their genitals. The testicles are meant to hang, move freely and are fully capable of managing themselves while we run or sprint.
Wearing tight supporters for long may, on the contrary, affect scrotum temperature and thereby affect sperm manufacturing and lower testosterone production. If managing them while undertaking vigorous activities is difficult, you can use a supporter to hold them in one place. However, supporters offer no protection from hernia, hydrocele, or impotence.
Conclusion: It is not necessary to wear a supporter during a workout. It is a useless accessory for people who exercise at a gym or outdoors.
Key takeaways:
A supporter is an accessory that holds the male genitals in one place.
Supporters have been in existence for more than 5,000 years. In the Vedic times, they were around in the form of langots.
The modern-day supporter came into existence in 1874. A Chicago based company called Sharp & Smith manufactured them.
A supporter has no relation with a hernia, and wearing a supporter does not prevent hernia.
A supporter has no connection with hydrocele. Therefore, wearing a supporter does not prevent hydrocele.
A supporter does not prevent impotence.
We hope the article helped us understand if we need to wear a supporter during a workout.
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