Olmsted’s seek for the deeper meanings of sports activities fandom led him on a five-year analysis journey. The e book attracts on scientific research and interviews with physicians, athletes and fans themselves. Alongside the best way, rooting for a staff is revealed as an exercise that forges deep and abiding human connections.

Psychologists inform Olmsted that spectator sports activities are second solely to faith when it comes to social connection. The e book is filled with knowledge that implies sports activities fans are happier and extra gregarious than their friends, and that following a sport retains the mind nimble by encouraging individuals’s minds to course of shortly shifting info that attracts on a system of complicated guidelines.

“A rising physique of literature exhibits a direct connection between watching sports activities as a spectator and turning into a participant by way of fandom,” Olmsted writes. Sports participation charges balloon after the Olympics, and protection of bicycle and foot races have prompted what he sees as lasting conversion of many bystanders into athletes.

The e book doesn’t shrink back from the uglier facet of sports activities, together with discrimination, sexual assault, home violence and the NFL’s drawback with concussions. However Olmsted’s e book is an optimistic tackle what it means to cheer for a staff. He sees sports activities as a lifeline — a direct route not simply to friendship and enjoyable, however a healthier and extra significant life.

“To me, probably the most poignant and shifting facet is the facility of fandom to heal — particularly when life appears to be at its very worst,” he writes. That applies even when your favourite staff appears destined to lose.

“The ache and disappointment of sports activities is non permanent,” Olmsted writes, “whereas the enjoyment lasts endlessly.”