The High Stakes Stress of Soccer: A Match for the Heart Watching a high pressure soccer match can be a physically demanding experience, particularly for fans who invest their emotions in their team's success.
Research from Bielefeld University in Germany suggests that watching a final can raise heart rates, increase stress levels, and put extra strain on the cardiovascular system.
A study of 229 Arminia Bielefeld fans tracked their physiological responses to soccer matches over three months using smartwatches.