Aviva Premiership
Scientists name Gloucester fans the most passionate
ESPNscrum Staff
April 30, 2012
Gloucester's Jonny May celebrates on his way to the try-line, Gloucester v Worcester Warriors, Aviva Premiership, Kingsholm, Gloucester, England, September 10, 2011
Gloucester supporters have reason to celebrate after scientists labelled their fans the most passionate © Getty Images
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Supporters of Gloucester have been declared the Aviva Premiership's most passionate fans, according to scientists.

In a season-long experiment by Premiership Rugby, scientists carried out psychological and physiological tests on fans from all 12 Premiership clubs. The supporters' heart rates, anxiety levels and hormone release through saliva were all monitored.

Scientists deemed Leicester's 30-25 win over the Northampton Saints as the most exciting match of the year with Gloucester's derby against Bath the loudest. And the highest heart rate from a fan was achieved by a Chiefs supporter in the dying seconds of their epic 31-26 win over Worcester this month.

The research was carried out at the University of Bath and their director of research for psychology Dr.Mark Brosnan said: "All the tests were formulated and set up to give the best indication of the stresses and emotions fans go through when watching a game of rugby.

"There's no doubt that the more passionate you are about a team, the more involved you will be on an emotional level - and this is exactly what this experiment found. We were surprised by just how passionate some of the fans were. Some of the surges in heart rate and testosterone are the biggest we have seen.

"Previous research has examined these factors in players - and it's fascinating to see that fans go through similar psychological and physiological processes as the players on the pitch".

The Aviva Premiership Passion League
Fan Position Club Fan Loyalty Fan Evaluation Fan Psychology Fan Physiology Total Passion Score
1 Gloucester 47 64 30 36 177
2 London Irish 52 20 60 26 158
3 Northampton Saints 50 16 49 41 156
4= Exeter Chiefs 42 13 50 50 155
4= Wasps 26 48 62 19 155
6 Leicester Tigers 36 30 55 27 148
7 Harlequins 39 36 39 25 139
8 Worcester Warriors 28 16 62 32 138
9 Bath 45 26 33 25 129
10 Sale Sharks 39 19 42 27 127
11 Newcastle Falcons 19 31 35 33 118
12 Saracens 40 25 23 16 104

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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