Gamer: from virtual life to real physical and mental health problems



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The video game sector, under the protection of the possibilities offered by new technologies, has experienced an exponential boom and what in its day was primarily a playful activity in the intimacy of the home has become an activity that moves millions and transcends the four walls of a teenager’s room. Thanks mainly to the popularity of electronic sports or eSports, whose relevance is already undeniable.

International competitions, packed halls, thematic channels, loyal spectators and professional players are the basic ingredients of this discipline followed by a faithful legion of enthusiasts who share the same passion. Generally let’s talk about young people (64% of followers are between 17 and 25 years old) e mainly males (71%), although the percentage of women participating in these competitions has increased in recent years. In addition, they consume an average of four hours and 30 minutes on the Internet daily and are regular customers on social networks.

But being the best gamer or having great skills on the pitch is useless if you don’t pay attention to the most important things: the body and the mind.. Not only does it improve the feeling of well-being, but it can also increase performance. Being fit and resting properly improves cognitive functions and hand-eye coordination and reflexes, among others. Additionally, it is possible to avoid long-term health problems or be out of the game for a season due to problems such as musculoskeletal injuries, which are common in players.

Some keys for the players

  • Schedule breaks to eat the main meals of the day.
  • Reduce the sedentary lifestyle, with daily physical activity and active breaks.
  • Get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep a day, mostly at regular times.
  • Avoid eating food while playing.
  • Use furniture that allows you to control heights and distances to avoid musculoskeletal problems.
  • It incorporates visual routines, like looking into the distance during breaks, like looking out of a window.

“The sedentary lifestyle is one of the most common health risks for amateurs and professionals. In addition, they also tend to suffer from diseases such as tendonitis, epicondylitis (or tennis elbow), carpal tunnel syndrome (which can cause muscle damage to the hand and fingers) and head, back and joint pain, vision problems, obesity and other disorders caused by eating, “explains the Dr. Luis Delgado, medical consultant of the Mapfre Foundation, which together with the Professional Video Game League (LVP, Mediapro Group), presented the “Feel good, play better” campaign to promote healthy habits among young video game enthusiasts.

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