The causes of hemorrhoids are many and still poorly understood. But one thing is almost certain: certain sports greatly increase the risk of hemorrhoidal attacks.
Let's take a look at the sports to avoid, and those to practice, to relieve your hemorrhoid attacks.
The culprits: cycling, horseback riding and weightlifting
3 sports are the most likely to cause hemorrhoids: cycling, horse-riding and weightlifting. This effect is easily explained by the pressure and friction they exert on the rectal area.
These results were confirmed by a study dating from January 2025, showing the percentage of athletes (among 318 surveyed) in various disciplines claiming to suffer from hemorrhoids :
- Cycling and riding: 57% suffer from hemorrhoids
- Weightlifting: 48% suffer from haemorrhoids
This compares with an average of 34% among all athletes surveyed.
The good students: trekking and running
According to the same study, athletes with the fewest hemorrhoids practiced :
- Running (22.7% suffer from hemorrhoids)
- Trekking and downhill skiing (14.3% suffer from hemorrhoids)
Several theories may explain these results: these activities may stimulate mobility and blood circulation, which are known to be linked to hemorrhoidal disorders.
Exposure to temperature differentials in the case of skiing and trekking may also be a factor linked to blood circulation. However, the study does not conclude on the causes of the benefits of these sports on hemorrhoidal disease.
A beneficial and fashionable sport: yoga
The benefits of yoga are so often extolled that it can get boring. But did you know that yoga can help reduce hemorrhoidal pain after surgery?
According to a 2012 study, yoga can have a highly beneficial effect on hemorrhoidal remission. In this study, participants did a minimum of 3 10-minute yoga exercises a day.
The study shows that the group that practiced the yoga exercises saw a clear reduction in pain as well as pain on defecation from the very first week.
Links between hemorrhoids and Body Mass Index (BMI)
L'Indice de Masse Corporelle (IMC), aussi appelé Body Mass Index (BMI) en anglais, est calculé en fonction de la taille, du poids et du genre de la personne. Un IMC faible (<18) indique une personne maigre, alors qu'un IMC plus élevé (>25) peut indiquer un surpoids.
Numerous studies show a link between a high BMI and the occurrence of hemorrhoidal disorders. More specifically, aone-point increase inBMI seems to increase the risk of hemorrhoidal disease by 3.5%.
These studies show that, in addition to specific sports, regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle play an important role in preventing hemorrhoids.
Conclusion
If you suffer from hemorrhoids, sporting activities can have a major impact on the evolution of the condition: avoid sports that increase rectal pressure, such as cycling, horse-riding or weightlifting. On the contrary, favor sports that allow greater mobility, such as yoga, running or trekking.
You should also bear in mind that regular physical activity can reduce your risk of hemorrhoidal attacks by lowering your BMI (Body Mass Index), which seems to be directly correlated with hemorrhoidal attacks.