The body’s reaction to high-pressure moments in sports mirrors its response to everyday stress, according to experts highlighting the physical toll on male fans. “The nervous system shifts into a fight-or-flight mode. Breathing becomes shallow, the heart rate and blood pressure rise, while the muscles, especially in the neck, shoulders, and jaw, tighten,” explains Alex Lee.
TENA’s survey found that 31% of fans experience a racing heartbeat while watching their favourite team play, while 27% hold their breath, and 24% notice muscle tension.
The toll doesn’t end at the final whistle
These physical stress responses do not always disappear once the final whistle blows. Over time, long periods of sitting, tension, and ignoring basic physical needs can contribute to headaches, stiffness, jaw discomfort, and reduced recovery.
“The issue extends beyond physical strain,” adds Matthew Grammer. He explains that repeatedly overriding bodily signals such as needing the bathroom, rest, or movement can reinforce unhealthy patterns over time. “When men consistently push through discomfort, they can become disconnected from the body’s early warning signs, which can contribute to chronic stress, emotional exhaustion, and eventually burnout.”
Endurance, focus, and toughness are often celebrated as feats, but ignoring the body’s signals may actually undermine long-term performance and well-being. Although 30% of fans say they only feel stressed during key moments in a game and 24% mainly in the final few minutes, repeatedly pushing through these periods of tension, even briefly, can build up over time and impact overall well-being.
Early warning signs
Grammer says early warning signs of burnout and stress, whether associated with sports or not, are often subtle and easy to dismiss, including
- Irritability
- Reduced focus and productivity
- Feeling mentally or physically drained
Lee notes that physical symptoms can also appear before more serious problems develop, including
- Prolonged fatigue
- Shallow breathing
- Changes in posture or movement
- Tingling or numbness sensations
- Persistent muscular tension
Simple habits men should start implementing
Rather than encouraging drastic lifestyle changes, Lee and Grammer recommend small, realistic habits men can adopt to better support their health, for example
- Getting up every 30–45 minutes
- Taking bathroom breaks when needed
- Stretching or changing sitting positions regularly
- Practising deep breathing during tense moments
- Staying hydrated throughout games
- Taking short 30-second pauses between tasks
- Checking in mentally with simple questions such as: “Am I tense, hungry, or tired?”
Rest is not weakness
This forms part of a broader conversation around how men view rest and self-care. “Many men associate rest with weakness or inefficiency,” says Grammer. “But in reality, rest is essential for performance, resilience, and long-term health.”
Hazel Villarreal, Marketing Director for TENA North America, says: “At TENA, we want to encourage men to rethink some of the everyday habits they may overlook, especially during high-intensity sports moments where it can feel easier to push through discomfort or ignore the body’s signals. Whether it’s delaying bathroom breaks, sitting for prolonged periods, or brushing off signs of discomfort as reactions to games, these small behaviours can build up over time.”
“We hope these insights help normalise listening to the body earlier, before small issues develop into larger health concerns, and encourage more open conversations around men’s well-being, self-care, and long-term health.”
More insights from Lee and Grammer can be found here: TENA’s men’s health insights
TENA’s campaign aims to promote awareness of these overlooked habits without promoting specific products, focusing instead on broader men’s health discussions during popular sporting events.