Watching sports benefits your mental health, science says

We all know that watching track and field events at the Paris Olympics is exciting and fun, but can it actually improve our health? Recent research out of Waseda University in Japan suggests that watching elite runners compete can do more than inspire; it may also enhance your long-term well-being. A recent study published in the journal Sports Management Review revealed that watching sports, especially popular events like the Olympics, is linked to a measurable boost in happiness and mental health. Here’s what you need to know.

Watching sports makes us feel good

A research team from Waseda University’s Faculty of Human Sciences explored the impact of sports viewing on well-being through three comprehensive studies involving more than 20,000 participants. The researchers employed diverse methods, such as brain imaging, self-assessment surveys and analysis of existing data.

In the first two studies, one with a large sample of 20,000 individuals and another with 208 participants, the findings indicated a clear link between watching sports and enhanced well-being. We all know how much fun it can be to watch a close race on the track, or tune in to a thrilling soccer game. But how long do the benefits last?

Long-term health boost

The third study took a closer look at the neurological effects of sports viewing by using multi-modal MRI scans on 14 participants while they watched various sports clips. The scans revealed that watching sports activates the brain’s reward circuits, which are associated with feelings of pleasure. Frequent sports viewers showed increased gray matter volume in these reward-related brain regions, suggesting that regular sports watching might lead to lasting changes in brain structure and a long-term boost in happiness.

For runners, tuning in to Olympic athletic events is more than just a way to pass the time or cheer on your favourite athletes. It’s an opportunity to tap into the sport you love in a way that enhances both your mental and physical well-being. As you watch the world’s fastest runners compete, remember that you’re not just witnessing history—you might be boosting your own happiness and even shaping your brain for the better.

posted Wednesday August 14th
by Keeley Milne