A new Cleveland Clinic survey is highlighting how exercise impacts men’s overall health — and where gaps remain. While most men say staying active improves their energy, mood and sex drive, nearly one in three admit they aren’t making it a regular habit.
The findings come from the clinic’s 10th annual MENtion It campaign, which encourages men to talk openly about their health. This year’s focus looked at the connection between fitness and physical, mental and sexual well-being.
“Men sometimes focus only on physical health, but mental and sexual health are just as important, and they’re all connected,” said Dr. Petar Bajic, director of the Men’s Health Section at Cleveland Clinic’s Glickman Urological Institute. “When one area is off, it can affect the rest.”
Key findings from the survey
- Exercise and well-being: 81% of men who exercise regularly report feeling more fatigued, stressed or mentally drained when they skip workouts.
- Sexual health connection: 61% said fitness directly affects their sex drive or sexual performance. Despite this, 18% reported low sexual desire and 15% reported erectile dysfunction in the past year.
- Lack of awareness: Many men didn’t know sexual health issues can signal serious conditions:
- 72% were unaware they can be tied to heart disease.
- 74% didn’t know they may be linked to diabetes.
- 65% were unaware of ties to high blood pressure.
- 59% didn’t connect them to mental health issues like depression.
The survey also found that stress and self-image are weighing heavily on men. Eighty-six percent said they feel stress, anxiety or mental exhaustion in a typical week, and about half reported comparing themselves to others online. Still, two-thirds said they have sought or would seek help from a mental health professional.
Why this matters for first responders
For police officers, firefighters, EMS providers and corrections officers — whose jobs bring high stress, long shifts and unpredictable challenges — the findings underscore the importance of making exercise and mental health a priority.
“When men are proactive about their health by exercising, getting regular screenings and prioritizing mental health, it can help prevent serious problems or catch them early,” Dr. Bajic said.
NEXT: What happens when wellness is treated like a core competency — not a side project? This clip from the Policing Matters podcast explores how a statewide wellness challenge turned simple goals and strong leadership into lasting, measurable change across law enforcement agencies.
