Watching sport is 'good for health' as new study finds football 'effective remedy'

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Watching sport is beneficial for your health, according to innovative new research.Scientists have found that watching your favourite football team play can enhance both physical and mental well-being.

In addition to providing enjoyment and relaxation for many, the researchers explained that watching sport - especially in large crowds - extends "beyond entertainment" by promoting a sense of community and belonging.The study's leader, Professor Shintaro Sato, stated: "This sense of connection not only makes individuals feel good but also benefits society by improving health, enhancing productivity, and reducing crime.""Although it is popularly recognised for its positive effects, existing studies on the relationship between watching sports and well-being offer only limited evidence."The research team from Japan utilised a multi-faceted approach - merging data analysis, self-reports, and brain scans - to comprehend the link between sports viewing and well-being in the general population.Professor Sato, from Waseda University, Japan, commented: "A significant challenge in well-being research is the subjective nature of measurement procedures, potentially leading to biased findings.""Therefore, our studies focused on both subjective and objective measures of well-being."In the initial study, the research team scrutinised data on the impact of watching sports on 20,000 Japanese residents.

The study's findings confirmed the continual trend of improved reported well-being associated with frequent sports viewing.Yet, the research was hindered by its inability to delve deeper into the correlation between sports consumption and well-being.In the second investigation, an online survey aimed at exploring if the relationship between