This field study investigated the release of testosterone and cortisol of a vicarious winning experience in Spanish fans\r\nwatching the finals between Spain and the Netherlands in the 2010 FIFA World Cup Soccer. Spanish fans (n = 50) watched\r\nthe match with friends or family in a public place or at home and also participated in a control condition. Consistent with\r\nhypotheses, results revealed that testosterone and cortisol levels were higher when watching the match than on a control\r\nday. However, neither testosterone nor cortisol levels increased after the victory of the Spanish team. Moreover, the increase\r\nin testosterone secretion was not related to participants� sex, age or soccer fandom, but the increase in total cortisol\r\nsecretion during the match was higher among men than among women and among fans that were younger. Also, increases\r\nin cortisol secretion were greater to the degree that people were a stronger fan of soccer. Level of fandom further appeared\r\nto account for the sex effect, but not for the age effect. Generally, the testosterone data from this study are in line with the\r\nchallenge hypothesis, as testosterone levels of watchers increased to prepare their organism to defend or enhance their\r\nsocial status. The cortisol data from this study are in line with social self-preservation theory, as higher cortisol secretion\r\namong young and greater soccer fans suggests that especially they perceived that a negative outcome of the match would\r\nthreaten their own social esteem.
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