It’s easy to feel lazy while watching the world’s best athletes compete in the Olympics, while you’re sitting on the couch eating snacks.
But a new study suggests we should take a break.
Research from Loughborough University has revealed that simply watching the Olympic Games on television can help you lose weight.
Spectators can burn up to 540 calories in a 90-minute period, according to research.
To put it into perspective, that’s the equivalent of a 45-minute run!
It’s easy to feel lazy while watching the world’s best athletes compete at the Olympics, as you sit back and have a snack on the couch. But a new study suggests you should take a break (file image)
From the European Championships to the Olympic Games, it’s safe to say that the summer of 2024 has truly been the summer of sport.
With screens popping up across the UK to show these events, EDF has commissioned research into the health benefits of watching sport on TV.
Working with Loughborough University sports scientist Dr Dale Eslinger, the team created a formula called The Power of Celebration.
This formula allows you to calculate your energy expenditure while watching sports on television and takes into account five key factors.
These are: your body weight, how you view the sport, the reference time, the intensity of the celebration and the celebration time.
According to this formula, an 80kg football fan who watches a 90-minute game while sitting, fidgeting and reacting vigorously by jumping, punching the air or shouting for three-quarters of the game could burn up to 540 calories.
According to EDF, this could be equivalent to a 45-minute race.
A tennis fan of the same weight who watches a three-hour match while sitting and chatting, celebrating moderately by clapping and cheering often, could burn up to 432 calories, which could be equivalent to swimming for 60 minutes.
Meanwhile, a track and field enthusiast of the same weight who watches the sport for 60 minutes while sitting and responds moderately by hopping on his feet and walking for a quarter of the time could burn up to 162 calories, which could be equivalent to a 30-minute walk.
The team created a formula, called ‘The Power of Celebration’, which allows them to calculate the energy expenditure while watching television.
According to research, spectators can burn up to 540 calories in a 90-minute period. To put it into perspective, that’s equivalent to running for 45 minutes (stock image)
Finally, an archery enthusiast of the same weight who watches a 60-minute match while sitting down and reacts physically by clapping and biting his or her nails a quarter of the time could burn up to 106 calories, which could be equivalent to a 15-minute cycle.
“Watching sports is positively associated with well-being and vitality,” said Dr. Eslinger.
‘By combining the way we watch sports with the intensity of our celebrations and considering factors such as body weight and overall duration, the innovative ‘Power of Celebration’ formula allows sports fans to quantify their own energy expenditure while enjoying the excitement of the games.’
The research comes shortly after a study found that playing video games can help with weight loss.
Research by Stakester revealed that male gamers can burn a whopping 420 calories in a two-hour gaming session, while female gamers can burn up to 472 calories – the equivalent of doing 1,000 sit-ups.
“We all know that competition gets our heart rate up and most of us have experienced the ‘game sweat’ that comes when you’re chasing a last-minute goal in FIFA or in a tight situation in Warzone,” said Tom Fairey, CEO and Founder of Stakester.
“It’s no surprise that this burns calories, but we’re surprised to see how many calories are burned during a 2-hour session – it’s certainly better than doing 1000 crunches!”