Media Consumption, Stress and Wellbeing of Video Game and eSports Players in Germany: The eSports Study 2020

Digital Challenges: Investigating Computer Vision Syndrome in Thai Esports Through a Case-Control Approach

Purpose

To determine the factors associated with eyestrain in esports athletes in Bangkok compared with controls.

Patients and Methods

A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted between April and June 2023, involving 160 male participants (aged 20-35 years) who used digital devices, consisting of esports athletes and a control group. Data were collected using a general information questionnaire, Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire (CVS-Q), and Depression anxiety stress scale-21 (DASS-21). Ophthalmic instruments were used for the eye examinations by an optometrist.

Results

Seventy-six esports athletes showed significantly lower visual performance than controls in logMAR visual acuity (p < 0.020), phoria (p < 0.001), negative fusional vergence (blur, break, and recovery) (p < 0.012, p < 0.004 and p < 0.039), positive fusional vergence (blur, break, and recovery) (p < 0.005, p < 0.001 and p < 0.005), monocular estimation method (p < 0.001), monocular and binocular accommodative facility (p < 0.001), and vergence facility (p < 0.001). A study on risk factors for CVS found that esports athletes were significantly more likely to have CVS (p < 0.001). Work environments with high-intensity lighting significantly increase the risk of CVS compared to low-intensity lighting (p < 0.001). The use of a digital device for >4 h/day, having a history of alcohol consumption, and stress significantly increased the risk of CVS (p < 0.001, p < 0.023, p < 0.048).

Conclusion

This study found that esports athletes experienced vision health problems, indicating the need to prevent eyestrain caused by the use of digital devices.

Gaming motivation and well-being among Norwegian adult gamers: the role of gender and disability

Introduction

Digital gaming is a popular and often social activity, also among adults. However, we need more knowledge of the social dynamics of gaming and its potential benefits for one's well-being. The current study aimed to examine gaming motivation, time spent gaming, and gaming performed together with friends, family, or romantic partner and how these aspects relate to expanded social network and well-being among men and women with and without disability.

Methods

Regular players of the popular game Fortnite Battle Royale (FBR; N = 278, 48.5% women, Mage = 32.38) completed an online questionnaire assessing their motivations for playing FBR (social motivation, achievement motivation, novelty motivation), time spent gaming, whom they usually play with, their psychological well-being, and FBR's impact on their life and social network. Differentiated statistical analyses on gender and disability were performed.

Results and discussion

The results showed that time spent gaming and social motivation to play were associated with larger social networks for all participants (strongest for women). More time spent gaming FBR was also associated with a positive impact on life for those with a disability. Social motivation to play was positively associated with a positive impact on life for men and those without a disability and increased well-being for women. Novelty motivation, which concerns experiencing new features in the game, was associated with a positive impact on life for women and with a decrease in well-being for those with a disability. This study demonstrated that gaming can be an essential social arena associated with positive outcomes for men, women and disabled people, who-when socially motivated-may expand their social networks through gaming.

Dietary behavior of video game players and esports players in Germany: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Video gaming and competitive gaming (esports) are gaining more and more recognition in society as well as in research. Increasingly, health-related topics are the focus of research on video game and esports players. Although video gaming is often associated with energy drinks and fast food, no studies have yet examined the players' dietary behavior. Therefore, the aim of this cross-sectional study is to investigate the dietary behavior and additional health-related data of video game players and esports players in Germany.

METHODS

Between July and October 2020, 817 participants (87.1% male; 24.2 ± 6.9 years), divided into video game players and esports players, were surveyed via an online questionnaire about their dietary, health, and gaming behaviors. Descriptive statistics were performed on all questions. To investigate statistically significant differences between video game players and esports players, the Mann-Whitney-U-Test and Kruskall-Wallis-Test were used. Partial Spearman correlations were used to examine possible associations between dietary behavior, health status, well-being, and video game playing time.

RESULTS

Water was the primary source of fluid intake for the players (10.9 ± 7.0 l/week). The average weekly consumption of energy drinks was 0.4 ± 0.9 L. Energy drinks (rho = 0.14; p < 0.01) as well as soft drinks (rho = 0.14; p < 0.01) are positively correlated with the video game playing time. Participants ate 7.5 ± 10.4 servings of fast food per month, which has a positive association with video game playing time (rho = 0.13; p < 0.01). In contrast, vegetables (1.7 ± 1.6 servings/day) and fruits (0.9 ± 1.0 servings/day) are eaten almost daily.

CONCLUSION

In this survey, the dietary behavior of video game players and esports players is similar to that of the German general population. Nevertheless, there is a need for improvement. Especially energy drinks, which are already documented to have adverse health effects, should be limited. In addition, the consumption of fast food and meat should also be reduced, and healthier foods such as fruits and vegetables should be increased instead. Early education and support regarding the associated risks with unhealthy foods is important within the target group.

The role of the body in electronic sport: a scoping review

The popularity of competitive computer and videogaming, also known as electronic sport (esport), has been rising rapidly during the past decades. Because of many parallels with traditional sports, like competitiveness, skill requirements, degree of professionalization, or the way it is portrayed in the media, esport has been adopted as part of the sport canon in many countries. Still, critics argue that playing computer games lacks the physicality commonly seen in traditional sports. A significant part of the competition is mediated through digital platforms and the spotlight shifts from the players’ appearance and actions to their digital avatars. This paper takes on this issue by exploring existing evidence about the role of the body in esport via a scoping review approach. According to the findings of 47 studies, the body’s role in esport is akin to that in traditional sport, including specific motoric requirements or biometric responses. Beyond that, the body can be seen as a link between the digital and physical worlds. Players embody digital avatars in the form of esport-specific movements, transfer of norms and ideals, and identification with the in-game characters. Future research can use this review as a basis for scientific approaches to individual phenomena regarding corporeality in esport and inter-corporeality.

Health Consequences of Intensive E-Gaming: A Systematic Review

The aim of this review is to examine the links among the different factors that determine harmful or even deadly events in professional and semiprofessional intensive Esports players. Cases of serious injuries or even death in young (<35 years old) male professional Esports players are reported every year. Fatalities and injuries in professional Esports players (PEGS) have only affected male players, and these events have mostly been concentrated in Asia. Studies in the literature have reported several causes and mechanisms of injuries. Links between injuries and previous comorbidities have emerged from the extant literature; obesity and/or metabolic disorders, seizures (associated with overstimulation of the eyes), heart malfunctions, high basal and abrupt increases in systolic blood pressure (SBP), prolonged stress, and poor posture have been associated with injuries. Several clinical signs have been identified and the question emerges whether or not self-regulation by Esports associations or public health authorities is necessary.

Videospiele und Schlaf – negativer Zusammenhang oder unbedenkliches Zocken?

Hintergrund

Das Spielen von Videospielen vor dem Schlafengehen kann einen Einfluss auf die Qualität und Quantität des Schlafs haben.

Fragestellung

Es gilt herauszufinden, welche Faktoren dabei beeinflusst werden und wie diese messbar gemacht werden können.

Material und Methode

Um eine Übersicht zu geben und Handlungsempfehlungen auszusprechen, wurden aktuelle Studien analysiert und gegenübergestellt.

Ergebnisse

Das Spielen von Videospielen vor dem Schlafengehen kann speziell bei Kindern und Jugendlichen zu einer erhöhten Einschlafdauer und insgesamt einer erhöhten Müdigkeit führen. Die Bildschirmhelligkeit (Exposition von blauem Licht) und die Aktivierung des Sympathikus durch das Spielen sind dabei relevante Faktoren. Vor allem actionreiche Videospiele führen zu einer größeren Aktivierung als vergleichbare ruhigere Aktivitäten.

Schlussfolgerung

Zusammenfassend kann gesagt werden, dass der Schlaf grundsätzlich durch das Videospielen negativ beeinflusst werden kann. Eine verlängerte Einschlafdauer und verringerte Tiefschlafphasen können als Folge vom abendlichen Videospielkonsum auftreten. Hierbei scheint die Sympathikotonie eine dominantere Rolle als die Exposition von blauem Licht zu spielen. Kinder, Jugendliche und professionelle Videospielende sind potenzielle Risikogruppen und müssen demnach über ein verantwortungsvolles Videospielverhalten aufgeklärt werden. Zur Quantifizierung der Aktivierung können verschiedene Messparameter dienen. Insbesondere die Herzratenvariabilität stellt einen praktikablen Parameter dar.