Watching sports linked to better physical and mental well-being: Study
Watching sports linked to better health
Watching sports doesn’t only entertain you but also bears a positive impact on your mental and physical well-being, a new study has revealed.
Associate Professor Shintaro Sato from Waseda University’s Faculty of Sport Sciences collaborated with his colleagues to explore the link between an individual’s well-being and sports viewing.
The study, published on March 22, 2024, in the Sports Management Review, revealed that watching sports over time can change our brain structure, for better.
Three studies conducted
Researchers conducted three key studies. In the first study, the team studied data from 20,000 Japanese residents, establishing a link between sports viewing and well-being.
The second study involved 208 participants, whose well-being was assessed before and after they were asked to view sports videos of their choice.
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In the third study, which was the most significant of all, the researchers used neuroimaging techniques to observe changes in brain activity as they watched sports.
Results
It was revealed that those who watched sports had greater grey matter volume in areas associated with these reward circuits.
“Both subjective and objective measures of well-being were found to be positively influenced by engaging in sports viewing. By inducing structural changes in the brain’s reward system over time, it fosters long-term benefits for individuals,” Professor Sato explained.
“For those seeking to enhance their overall well-being, regularly watching sports, particularly popular ones such as baseball or soccer, can serve as an effective remedy,” Sato concluded.
This research highlights the personal benefits of watching sports and how it substantially contributes to the field of sports management.
Historically, sports management literature has centred on the behaviours and demographics of specific sports fans.
In contrast, Sato and his team broadened their scope to include the general population, investigating how sports viewing impacts the mental and social well-being of a general wider audience.
(With inputs from agencies)