When it comes to sports in general, athletes are often exposed to many health risks depending on their chosen games. For example, those who specialize in American Football are particularly at risk when it comes to dangerous concussions – even with the safety equipment being used. However, what about the world of esports? It might seem strange to some, but competitive gaming is a legitimate sport, which is why esports tends to rake in cash.
Just like athletes of any other sport, gamers also are exposed to health risks when it comes to pouring their heart and soul into the game they love. From sportez.com, here are just a few health risks the athletes of esports face.
The dangers of poor posture and an overall lack of exercise
While there are specific health conditions that athletes of esports should watch for, poor posture and lack of exercise bring about its own litany of problems. Inactivity and poor posture can directly lead to:
- Obesity – Without a doubt, obesity is one of the primary issues that can stem from a lack of exercise. With obesity comes a laundry list of health issues, which makes it one of the most severe problems esports athletes face.
- A collapsed lung – Surprisingly, poor posture can lead to a collapsed lung when maintained over the course of several months. If the gamer does not take the time to work on their posture during gaming, the risk of a collapsed lung is genuine.
- Malnutrition – Even if there might not be enough exercise in the life of an esports player, it can also end in the neglect of healthy food – or food in general. Malnutrition is a constant risk for players that get carried away when training for the big game.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
One of the biggest problems that come with playing games as a sport is the increased risk of developing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. It is a painful condition that can come from repetitive hand movements over the course of months or years, developing into a situation that might end an esport athlete’s career.
While utilizing hand exercises and ensuring that you are not continually gaming for several hours on end can help alleviate the potential risks, many esports gamers do not have such a luxury. Most of them are training for several hours a day, which increases the risk exponentially.
Mental fatigue, and general burnout
Last but certainly not least, there is the issue of developing fatigue – not just physically, but mentally as well. Most athletes in esports are required to dedicate an unreasonable amount of focus into their game of choice, which often leads to problems down the line.
While it might seem odd to consider gamers as athletes, many professional players suffer through health risks the same as any other athlete. A dedication to the sport is often all it takes to cause problems. Hopefully, awareness in the subject might help steer athletes in the right direction.
Image: https://pixabay.com/photos/technology-controller-play-3189176/
