When watching big sports events, it is easy to think that you will gain weight due to snacking on treats like “chicken and beer.” However, a study has revealed that watching a sports game on TV and cheering on the game can actually burn a significant number of calories.
Watching a soccer game immerssively and reacting passionately can burn up to 540 kilocalories (kcal) in 90 minutes.
Sports scientist Dr. Dale Eslinger and colleagues at Loughborough University in the UK were commissioned by energy company EDF to explore the health benefits of watching sports on TV. Their research led to the development of a formula called “The Power of Celebration,” which quantifies the calorie consumption associated with TV viewing.
The amount of calories burned while watching sports varies depending on several factors, including body weight, the method of viewing, basic viewing time, celebration intensity, and celebration time.
For example, a 80kg soccer fan can burn approximately 540 kcal by watching a 90-minute game, engaging in physical reactions to the game’s flow, and celebrating goals or fouls. This is comparable to running for 45 minutes.
The type of exercise being watched also influences calorie expenditure. Watching a long tennis match for three hours, interacting with the player, and cheering can burn 432 kcal, which is equivalent to swimming for an hour.
Watching track and field, one of the most popular events at the Paris Olympics, can burn 162 kcal by simply standing up and walking or jumping for 15 minutes.
Even relatively static activities like watching archery and reacting appropriately can burn calories. Sitting for an hour while watching archery can burn 106 kcal, similar to riding a bike for 15 minutes.
“Watching sports has a positive impact on well-being and vitality,” said Dr. Eslinger. ”Our innovative formula, ‘The Power of Celebration,’ allows sports fans to measure their energy expenditure while enjoying the excitement of the game.”
By actively engaging with the game, such as jumping during goals or doing light exercise during replays, viewers can maximize their calorie burn while enjoying the sporting event.
Reporter Park Hae-sik, Donga.com [email protected]
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