[doppler1 (OP)]

I guess the question is more why do sport spectators become so physiologically affected by certain sports? I understand that soccer hooligans are just thugs but I am talking about the enthusiastic fan whose heart rate climbs at tense moments and whose limbs move involuntarily whilst they are caught up in the game??? I do not really see much of this in other activities that are watched and not performed.

[graham.d]

One aspect is an inbuilt predisposition to tribalism.

[doppler1 (OP)]

I can understand that because I am one of the enthusiatic followers of sport myself and I get so worked up when my team is playing because I hate to lose and this team represents my geographical region. I guess we all like to feel like we come from a stronger or superior areas than our competitors. What is the thing that activates our genetic tribalism during sport?