Millions of people recently cheered for their favorite teams during the FIFA World Cup, whether in stadiums or in front of their televisions. A new study by Japanese researchers suggests that these shared experiences may do more than bring people together — they may also trigger measurable physiological changes.
Watching sports together
The study was conducted by researchers at the University of Tsukuba and published in the journal Translational Psychiatry. The researchers set out to examine what happens in the body when people watch sporting events together.
The study included 60 adults, including 21 women. None of the participants were devoted fans of a particular team; instead, they were casual sports spectators.
Oxytocin up, stress hormone down
During a university basketball game, participants provided saliva samples several times so researchers could measure levels of oxytocin and cortisol. They also wore heart rate monitors throughout the game and completed surveys about their experience afterward.
The researchers found that participants with relatively low baseline levels of oxytocin — often referred to as the «love hormone» because of its role in social bonding — experienced a significant increase during the game. Those who started with higher oxytocin levels maintained elevated levels throughout the event.
Meanwhile, cortisol, a hormone commonly associated with stress, declined. As a result, the ratio of oxytocin to cortisol increased, which the researchers said may indicate a more positive emotional state.
Spectators’ heart rates synchronized
The study also found that spectators’ heart rates became increasingly synchronized as the game progressed, and this synchronization continued after the final whistle.
Participants whose heart rates were more closely synchronized with others were more likely to report enjoying the game, feeling a stronger sense of connection with fellow spectators, being more engaged, and expressing interest in attending another sporting event.
Don’t overinterpret the findings
The authors noted several limitations. The study involved only 60 participants, focused on a single university basketball game in Japan, and was observational, meaning it could identify associations but not establish cause and effect.
As a result, the findings suggest a link between watching sports together and measurable physiological changes, but they do not prove that watching the game directly caused those changes. The researchers said larger studies are needed to confirm the results.
