Yes, we are serious! Esports injuries are becoming increasingly common as competitive gaming grows in popularity. Esports, short for electronic sports, refers to competitive video gaming where players or teams compete against each other in organized tournaments and leagues.
Despite the lack of physical contact inherent to traditional sports, the repetitive and prolonged nature of gaming leads to several musculoskeletal injuries as well as mental health concerns. Here are the most common esports-related injuries:
1. Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI)
RSI results from performing the same motion repeatedly, leading to pain in muscles, tendons, and nerves. It causes injury most commonly to the hands, wrists, and forearms of esports players, often manifesting as carpal tunnel syndrome or tendinitis. Caused by constant use of keyboards, mice, or controllers over extended periods resulting in inflammation and irritation in tendons and nerves.
2. Gamer’s Thumb (De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis)
Game’s thumb is the name sometimes given to De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis because it is so common in people who play computer games regularly. This condition occurs when the tendons around the base of the thumb become inflamed, causing pain when gripping or moving the thumb. Again, excessive use of controllers and mobile devices, in particular with the thumb while gaming contributes to this injury.
3. Neck and Back Pain
Prolonged sitting in poor posture can lead to chronic pain in the neck, upper back, and lower back. Playing computer games for hours means sitting in front of a computer screen. If you do not have good ergonomic support then poor posture leads to muscle strain and discomfort. Proper ergonomic setups, frequent breaks, and stretching can help reduce the risk of these injuries.
4. Eye Strain (Computer Vision Syndrome)
Eye strain, or computer vision syndrome, is common among esports players who spend long hours staring at screens. Symptoms include blurred vision, headaches, and dry eyes. It is caused by prolonged focus on screens leads to strain on eye muscles, especially in poorly lit environments.
6. Trigger Finger
Trigger finger occurs when tendons in the fingers become inflamed, causing pain and limited movement. In severe cases, the finger may lock in a bent position. It is caused by repeated pressing of buttons and rapid movements of the fingers during gaming.
Preventing Esports Injuries
There are plenty of things you can do to avoid injury from playing computer games. Proper gaming setups that include supportive chairs, correct monitor height, and wrist rests can help reduce strain on the body. Taking frequent breaks and doing hand, wrist, and back stretches can alleviate muscle tension. Get yourself donw the gym! Strengthening exercises for the forearms, wrists, and back can reduce the risk of overuse injuries. Also, using blue light glasses or screen filters can help reduce eye strain during long gaming sessions.
As esports grows, the focus on physical health and mental well-being for players is becoming a major area of concern, with more teams and organizations investing in healthcare professionals like physiotherapists and psychologists to support their players.
