Esports or electronic sports is composed of athletes who participate in competitive video gaming. It is a growing industry that is booming throughout the world. Competitive gaming athletes and teams exist in recreation, schools, universities, and more. Gaming athletes use small, fine motor skills in their hands during athletic movements to work their mobile devices, controllers, or mouses during video gaming hundreds of times per minute. Some casual and competitive gamers spend hours a day and multiple days a week gaming. As a result, they develop pain and injuries related to sitting for long periods of time and repetitive use of their arms. Many of these injuries are similar to injuries that manufacturing workers experience such as carpal tunnel syndrome, thumb tendonitis, and tennis elbow (also known in the esports world as gamers thumb, gamers wrist, and gamers elbow). Health care providers are now seeing more injuries of esports and gaming athletes related to eyestrain, neck and back pain, and shoulder, elbow. and hand pain. As the esports and gaming industry continues to grow at a fast pace so do associated injuries. Who do you call for help with an esports injury? While esports may not involve the physical contact and impact seen in traditional sports, players are still susceptible to certain injuries and health issues. Here are some common esports-related injuries:
Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs): Players often perform repetitive movements, such as clicking a mouse or pressing keys on a keyboard for extended periods. This can lead to RSIs, including carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and other hand and wrist injuries.
Eye Strain and Fatigue: Staring at a screen for long periods without breaks can lead to eye strain, dry eyes, and fatigue. This is commonly referred to as computer vision syndrome.
Neck and Back Pain: Maintaining a fixed posture for extended periods, especially when sitting for long gaming sessions, can contribute to neck and back pain. Poor ergonomics and an improper setup can exacerbate these issues.
Obesity and Sedentary Lifestyle: Esports players mays pend a significant amount of time sitting, leading to a sedentary lifestyle. Lack of physical activity can contribute to health problems, including obesity and related issues.
Mental Health Issues: While not a physical injury, mental health is a significant concern in esports. The pressure to perform well, deal with competition stress, and manage the demands of a professional gaming career can contribute to stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
Sleep Deprivation: Esports tournaments often have demanding schedules that can lead to irregular sleep patterns and insufficient rest. This can negatively impact a player's physical and mental well-being.
Dehydration: Gamers may forget to stay hydrated during intense gaming sessions, leading to dehydration. Proper hydration is crucial for overall health and cognitive function.
To address these issues, esports organizations and players are becoming more aware of the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This includes implementing ergonomic gaming setups, taking regular breaks, incorporating physical exercise into daily routines, and seeking mental health support when needed. As the esports industry continues to grow, the focus on player health and well-being is likely to increase. Dr. Nekita Sullivan, Doctor of Physical Therapy, received her certification from the Esports Health and Performance Institute. She is also a certified hand therapist, certified yoga and Pilates instructor, and certified health education specialist. She helps esports athletes and teams prevent or rehabilitate injuries with her holistic wellness program “game WELL". Casual and competitive gamers or teams you can contact Dr. Nekita at Yoga Therapy Bar by email at info@yogatherapybar.com. You can also check her out on the web at www.yogatherapybar.com and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Linked In. #esports #videogamers #gamers #videogamers#competitivegamers #movementismedicine #bodyandmind #holistic #gamerswrist#gamerselbow #gamersthumb #esportshealth #esportsmedicine #esportsprovider #esportsdoctor #esportstherapist #clemsonesports #clemsongamers
An eco-friendly, holistic physical therapy, therapeutic yoga, clinical Pilates, wellness studio located in the heart of downtown Clemson, SC. Yoga Therapy Bar is Clemson alumna and minority-owned. Our first location open right here in Tiger Town to give back to the Upstate.
Address: 111 Earle St Suite D Clemson SC 29631 SC
