Marcella La Cioppa Is watching television always bad for you? According to recent research this is not always the case, let's find out why.
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Watching television has long been considered a detriment to our health, often associated with laziness and an overall negative impact on our well-being. But is this always the case?
Recent research highlights benefits
Not necessarily. Recent studies have shed light on a specific type of television content that could actually improve our well-being. It turns out that watching sports on TV might be beneficial. This intriguing finding was published in the journal Sport Management Review, encompassing three distinct subset studies involving Japanese participants.
Initial findings
The first study explored the relationship between watching sports and subsequent well-being, analyzing publicly available data from a large sample of 20,000 participants. Researchers noted a general trend: regular sports viewership contributed to greater well-being reported by participants—an encouraging start to the case for sports viewership.
Before and after effects
The subsequent study delved deeper into the impact before and after watching sports. Over 200 Japanese residents were recruited, reporting higher levels of well-being after viewing sports videos, especially for popular sports like baseball. Naturally, there are nuances, as some people naturally prefer certain sports over others, but in general, the more popular sports showed a higher response in well-being.
Neurological impact
The third study aimed to document potential changes in the brain from watching sports. The research team conducted a neuroimaging experiment with 14 Japanese participants using MRI scans to assess changes in brain function and structure.
A balanced approach
While it’s fascinating to learn about the well-being benefits from watching sports, it’s crucial not to use this research as an excuse to stay glued to screens 24/7 or neglect other important aspects of life, such as spending time outdoors and engaging in physical exercise.
Source: Sport Management Review
