Team sports can be an excellent way to get exercise and socialize, but they may have hidden risks. A new study reveals a link between team losses and increased infarction risk in fans.
The Study
The study followed 4,012 adults who were fans of a professional soccer team in Japan. The participants answered a questionnaire about their level of emotional involvement in the team and whether they experienced a team loss during the previous week.
The researchers then measured the participants’ blood pressure and heart rate and checked for signs of infarction.
The Results
The researchers found that when the team lost, the fans had a higher chance of experiencing an infarction.
Specifically, the odds of experiencing an infarction were 2.66 times higher in fans who were emotionally involved in the team and who experienced a loss in the previous week, compared to those who did not experience a loss or who had low emotional involvement.
Why Would This Happen?
One explanation for this link is that losing a game may cause stress, which can increase blood pressure and heart rate. This, in turn, may lead to a higher risk of infarction.
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Another possibility is that losing a game may cause fans to engage in unhealthy behaviors, such as excessive drinking or overeating, which can also increase the risk of infarction.
Implications
These findings have important implications for both fans and healthcare providers.
Fans who are emotionally involved in a team may need to take extra care of their health after a loss, such as practicing stress-reducing techniques or avoiding unhealthy behaviors. Healthcare providers may also need to consider the emotional impact of team losses when treating patients with cardiovascular issues.
Limitations
It is important to note that this study had several limitations. Firstly, it was conducted in Japan, so it is unclear whether the findings apply to fans in other countries.
Secondly, the study only included fans of one specific soccer team, so it is unclear whether the findings apply to fans of other sports or teams. Finally, the study only measured infarction risk, so it is unclear whether team losses have other negative health effects.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a new study reveals a link between team losses and increased infarction risk in fans. While the exact reasons for this link are not yet clear, these findings have important implications for both fans and healthcare providers.
