Researchers from the University of Zurich organised soccer tournaments with the Indigenous Tsimane people in the Bolivian Amazon. They collected urine samples from players before and after matches to measure oxytocin levels.
Results showed oxytocin rose most strongly after matches against familiar rivals. The increase was smaller when teams came from different communities. When the Tsimane played non-Tsimane opponents, oxytocin rose again. This pattern suggests oxytocin reacts to how noticeable the opposition is.
Men showed changes in oxytocin around games, while women did not. Researchers gave possible reasons: some women had higher baseline levels because they were breastfeeding; women also played less and soccer may mean something different for them; and one hypothesis says men evolved to invest more in group competition.
Difficult words
- tournament — a sports competition with several gamestournaments
- indigenous — native people of a country or region
- urine — liquid waste produced by the body
- oxytocin — a hormone linked to social bonding and trust
- baseline — a normal level used for comparison
- breastfeed — feed a baby with milk from motherbreastfeeding
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Have you played team sports with people from other communities? How did it feel?
- Do you think playing sports changes feelings between groups? Why or why not?
- What reasons can you think of for different reactions in men and women?
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