Great news for sports fans - new research finds seeing your favorite team in action is good for your health. Researchers with Waseda University in Japan have found that watching sports isn’t just entertaining, it boosts both physical and mental well-being.
Beyond being a source of enjoyment and relaxation for people, it also helps create a sense of community and belonging, especially when watching in large crowds. “This sense of connection not only makes individuals feel good but also benefits society by improving health, enhancing productivity, and reducing crime,” explains study leader Professor Shintaro Sato.
The team of scientists used a multi-prong approach for the study, combining data analysis and self-reports from participants, as well as brain scans, to get a better understanding of the connection between viewing sports and well-being.
- In the first study, researchers analyzed data on the effect of watching sports on 20-thousand people. The results confirm the boost in well-being associated with regularly viewing sports.
- The second study was an online survey looking into whether the connection between watching sports and well-being depends on the type of sport being watched. It found that more popular sports, like football, offer a “more significant” impact on enhancing well-being, compared to less popular sports, like golf.
- And in the third study, scientists analyzed brain activity of participants while they watched sports clips. They found that watching sports triggers activation in the brain’s rewards centers, indicating feelings of happiness or pleasure.
- Sato says the findings have “profound” implications. He explains, “For those seeking to enhance their overall well-being, regularly watching sports, especially popular ones such as baseball or soccer, can serve as an effective remedy.”
Source: Talker