Football offers numerous health benefits for men. Master, Doctor Doan Vinh Binh, from the Medical Information Center, Tam Anh General Hospital TP HCM, states that participating in football and scoring goals can increase testosterone levels. Testosterone is a key hormone for maintaining libido, erectile function, muscle strength, and physical endurance. Doctor Binh explains that competition, achieving goals, and winning can trigger biological responses that stimulate the brain-pituitary-testicular axis to boost testosterone production.

Football's dynamic movements, combining running, sprinting, and changing direction, enhance cardiovascular health and improve blood circulation. These activities are vital for a healthy circulatory system.

According to Doctor Binh, rapid sprints to outmaneuver opponents are akin to high-intensity interval training (HIIT). This stimulates the body to release nitric oxide (NO), which dilates the vascular system, leading to efficient blood flow. This mechanism is crucial for affecting the arterial system of the sexual organs, thereby improving erectile function in men.

Actions like shooting, turning to tackle, and jumping for headers require men to tighten their abdominal and hip areas. This activates pelvic floor muscles, strengthening the muscle group that controls ejaculation and prolongs intercourse.

Each time a goal is scored or there is effective teamwork, the brain releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with feelings of euphoria, helping men improve their mood.

Vietnamese football players and former English Premier League legends in a match at Hang Day Stadium on 30/6/2025. *Photo: Hieu Luong*

Beyond direct participation, fans also experience physiological changes when watching favorite matches. Doctor Binh notes that testosterone levels in male fans increase when their team wins. However, this effect is often short-term and does not replace the long-term benefits of physical activity.

Despite the benefits, certain habits while watching football can negatively impact physiological health. These include staying up late, lack of sleep, excessive alcohol consumption, eating fried foods, or sitting for hours in front of the screen.

Doctor Binh advises that during the upcoming World Cup season, men should prioritize watching their preferred matches, get adequate compensatory sleep, limit alcoholic beverages, and engage in light exercise between halves to reduce adverse health effects. To stabilize testosterone and maintain long-term physiological health, it is essential to combine regular physical training, a scientific diet, and a healthy lifestyle. Men may consider supplementing with: Eurycoma longifolia extract, French maritime pine bark extract, and ocean oyster extract to support the body's increased production of endogenous testosterone and nitric oxide, helping maintain performance.

Thai Thanh