As the 2026 FIFA World Cup is in full swing, fans are cheering passionately for matches involving the South Korea national football team and countries around the world.
However, you should be careful, as sitting for long periods to watch games or standing to cheer can put strain on your joints and bones.
The most common problem is pain in the spine and neck. A habit of leaning back on a bed or sofa and looking at a smartphone for long periods while watching a game puts stress on the neck and lower back. That is because a forward-tilted head can place several times your body weight on the cervical spine, which may worsen a herniated disc in the neck. In addition, sitting for a long time while leaning to one side can tighten the muscles around the lower back and increase pressure on the intervertebral discs, raising the risk of back pain or sciatica.
Sudden twisting or jumping up when a goal is scored can also strain an already weakened spine. For people with existing herniated discs in the lower back, the pain may worsen sharply.
Prevention is simple. Stand up and stretch once every 30 to 40 minutes, and keep your lower back straight. When watching TV, it is best to sit in a chair with a backrest at least 2 meters away from the screen. You should also avoid lying back on a bed while looking at your smartphone.
You should also watch out for sprains in the knees and ankles. People often jump suddenly in the living room, cheer, change direction too quickly, and fall.
In particular, people who already have knee pain should be careful if they watch games for long periods while sitting cross-legged or squatting on the floor. This can increase pressure on the joint cartilage. If your knee swells after cheering, or if pain gets worse when going up and down stairs, it may be a sign of a joint problem rather than simple muscle soreness.
Rolling your ankles and stretching your calves during breaks can help improve blood circulation and relieve joint tension.
The classic World Cup snacks of fried chicken and beer can also affect joint health. Beer contains a high amount of purines, which can raise uric acid levels in the body and trigger or worsen Gout. Gout is a condition in which the big toe joint swells and causes stabbing pain. Symptoms often begin suddenly at night or before dawn.
Lack of sleep also has a negative effect on bone health. Studies show that chronic sleep deprivation can interfere with bone regeneration and muscle recovery, while increasing inflammatory responses and worsening pain. In particular, menopausal women and older adults face a higher risk of reduced bone density, so they should avoid repeated late-night routines.
Football lasts 90 minutes, but joint pain can last for months. Supporting the South Korea national football team is important, but so is preparing to return to daily life in good health after the World Cup ends. To keep overnight cheering from turning into cries of pain from your back and knees, this World Cup should be a time for healthy cheering as well. Victory cheers come from a healthy body.
Help provided by Oh Seung-mok, Director of Orthopedic Surgery, Bupyeong Himchan Hospital
