Very few would have assumed that more damage could be done off the field as fans around the world glued themselves to the couch over the past month.
AAP reports that the Heart Foundation has issued a warning, alleging that football supporters were up to 2.5 times more likely to suffer heart problems during a key match, and called on fans to "stay calm".
Dr Steve Hambleton, Federal president of the Australian Medical Association, believes those long nights, a sneaky burger here and there and those moments spent tensed up as Ghana pushed for a win against the Socceroos could have been doing more damage than a bicycle kick from Martin Caceres.
“Sleep depravation in the short term is pretty good, but it does affect your immune system. It certainly changes how your immune system can handle external threats.” Hambleton said.
“I suppose the other issues from sitting up late at night watching football in particular is what you do when you are up. That might mean more alcoholic drinks, and perhaps eating the wrong foods. Those things affect your general health.”
For those sitting at home as things heat up on the pitch, it may be time to calm down as the Heart Foundation suggested.
“If you are sitting still and your muscles aren't moving and the adrenalin is flowing, your blood pressure will rise… [With] strong emotional events like this we have seen heart attacks occur in the past, so if you are at risk you probably should be a little bit careful” Dr Hambleton said
Many have spent their nights awake in front of SBS One watching the matches live. Those lucky enough, or smart enough, to watch replays on SBS Two may well have saved themselves a telling off from the boss at work, as productivity is said to flail when you don't get the precious eight hours.
“Getting up every night in the early hours of the morning can have fatigue set in; we need to make sure we don't overdo it.”
“You can cope with it for a couple of days; it certainly affects your performance and also affects your immune system if it goes on for to long.” Hambleton said.
With just two matches remaining, it is a swift reminder that when the Cup is over next week a few quiet nights in, talking to those that you have ignored for the past month while in football heaven, may be in order.
For those finding it hard to let go, Australia plays in the Asian Cup early next year so you don't have long to wait until the next big tournament, or you can be one of the first to start preparing now for Rio in four years.
