PRESSURE – According to a study from the University of Oxford, the intense stress caused by a football match can be dangerous for health. High and prolonged levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, can shrink blood vessels, increase blood pressure, or damage an already weakened heart.
2020-01-25T11: 10: 00.000Z – Yohan ROBLIN
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We play the last minutes of the match. Your team leads to the score but the stopwatch, displayed on the screen, idles. In front of your TV, time seems long, endless. You stamp your feet, you fidget, you get up … In short, to make it short, you stress. Be aware that this accumulated stress can have consequences for your health. This is what emerges from a very serious study published in the journal Stress and Health, where dedicated fans experience such intense levels of physical stress watching their team that they could face a heart attack.
Researchers from the Center for the Study of Social Cohesion (CSSC) university of oxford tested the cortisol levels in the saliva of some 40 fans before, during and after three matches of the 2014 World Cup, including the historic defeat of Brazil against Germany (7-1) in the semifinals . Secreted in excess, this stress hormone, produced by the adrenal glands and essential for the good performance of the body on a daily basis, can cause various inconveniences.
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“Dangerous” stress levels
Elevated and prolonged levels can lead to suppression of the immune system (more coughs, colds and even allergies), weight gain and high blood pressure with a significant risk of heart disease. “Fans who merge with their team – that is, have the strong feeling of being one with their team – experience the greatest response to physiological stress when watching a game,” said the Dr. Martha Newson, researcher at CSSC. “Fans who are more casual supporters also experience stress, but not so much.”
The study also shows that there is “no difference in cortisol concentration”, regardless of gender. “Despite popular belief that men tend to be more related to their teams, women have in fact been found to be slightly more related to their national team,” said the researcher. Previous research has established an increase in heart attacks among supporters on important match days whether they support their club or their country.
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As you can see, supporting your football team has consequences for your health. In 2013, a study published by the Association for psychological science was interested in the Superbowl viewers. Supporters of a losing team tended to eat 16% more saturated fat and 10% more calories the day after a loss. A win had the opposite effect with 9% less saturated fat and 5% fewer calories gobbled up. Among the most fervent supporters, according to the results, consumption even increased by 28% and decreased by 16%.
