Can I Get Injured Playing Esports?
When most people think about esports, they imagine players seated comfortably, clicking away at keyboards and controllers. Because of this, it might seem surprising to hear about esports athletes getting injured. After all, they aren’t tackling each other or sprinting across fields. However, esports players, just like traditional athletes, are susceptible to injuries caused by repetitive movements, prolonged sitting, and poor posture. Understanding these risks is essential for anyone involved in esports, especially students, parents, and teachers looking to support a safe gaming environment.
What Are the Most Common Esports Injuries?
Esports injuries usually result from repetitive strain and overuse. Players spend hours practising the same precise movements, which can stress specific muscles and joints.
Gamer’s Thumb (De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis) is a condition that affects the tendons around the thumb. It’s caused by repetitive thumb movements, especially when gripping controllers. Players experience pain and difficulty moving their thumbs, making gaming, and daily tasks, uncomfortable or in some cases impossible.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome occurs when the median nerve running through the wrist becomes compressed due to repetitive wrist and hand movements. Symptoms include numbness, tingling sensations, and pain in the fingers, hand, and wrist. Players of games like League of Legends or Dota 2, which require constant mouse clicking, often face this condition.
Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) results from repeated forearm muscle use, such as continually clicking a mouse or moving joysticks. Players experience soreness on the outer elbow, making simple tasks like typing or lifting objects difficult and painful.
Neck and Back Pain are extremely common in esports due to long periods of sitting, often in poorly adjusted chairs and desks. Players slouching or craning their neck forward to look at screens can strain muscles and ligaments in their neck and back, leading to chronic discomfort or posture-related issues.
Real-Life Examples: Injuries Experienced by Esports Athletes
Just like in traditional sports, esports injuries can be serious enough to impact players’ careers significantly.
One of the most notable cases is South Korea’s legendary StarCraft player, Lim “BoxeR” Yo-hwan, who experienced severe wrist, shoulder, and spinal problems from years of intensive play. These injuries eventually forced him to retire from competitive gaming to focus on rehabilitation and managing his pain.
Another famous case involves professional Overwatch player Kim “Birdring” Ji-hyeok. During the inaugural season of the Overwatch League, Kim suffered a debilitating wrist injury that forced him to step away from competitions for several weeks. This injury had a profound impact on his performance and team dynamics.
These examples show injuries aren’t isolated incidents, they can happen to anyone, from amateur players at school tournaments to seasoned professionals at international competitions.
What Does the Research Say?
Research into esports-related injuries highlights the seriousness of these issues. A 2020 study published by researchers from the New York Institute of Technology noted that more than 56% of surveyed esports athletes experienced eye fatigue, 42% reported neck and back pain, and 36% reported wrist and hand pain (DiFrancisco-Donoghue et al., 2020).
The American Osteopathic Association also noted that prolonged gaming sessions significantly increased the risk of repetitive strain injuries, emphasising the importance of breaks, ergonomic setups, and physical conditioning to protect athletes’ long-term health (Zwibel et al., 2019).
These findings underline the reality that esports injuries are not trivial and must be proactively managed.
How Can Esports Injuries Be Prevented?
Fortunately, most esports injuries can be prevented or minimised with the right approach:
Players should have ergonomically designed chairs, desks, and gaming accessories. Monitors should be at eye level to avoid neck strain, and wrists should rest comfortably on supportive surfaces.
Encourage players to take short breaks every 30 to 60 minutes to stretch muscles, walk around, and give their hands and wrists a rest. Short breaks significantly reduce the risk of repetitive strain injuries.
Regular physical activity strengthens muscles, supports posture, and improves overall health. Incorporating exercises like yoga, strength training, or cardio into a gamer’s routine can prevent injuries and improve gaming performance.
Players should be taught proper techniques to hold mice, controllers, and keyboards. Awareness about correct posture and muscle relaxation techniques can make a significant difference over the long term.
Recognising symptoms early and seeking professional help can prevent minor issues from becoming severe. Coaches and teachers should encourage students to report discomfort immediately.
Why is This Important for Students, Parents, and Teachers?
Understanding esports injuries matters because esports is rapidly becoming part of mainstream school culture in New Zealand. Teachers and parents can guide students to participate in esports safely by promoting healthy gaming habits. Esports isn’t inherently harmful, but like any physical activity, risks increase when caution and care are neglected.
Teachers can also integrate education about these risks into health and physical education classes, further normalising discussions about healthy gaming practices. Parents play a vital role by encouraging breaks and good gaming ergonomics at home.
Additionally, we offer free school presentations focused on health and wellbeing in esports, providing practical advice and guidance tailored specifically for students.
A Balanced Perspective on Esports
It’s essential to strike a balance. While these potential injuries are serious, esports itself isn’t inherently dangerous. Rather, issues arise when players engage excessively without adequate precautions. With proper awareness, education, and support, esports can be a healthy, engaging activity that promotes teamwork, cognitive development, and social connection.
By being aware of potential esports injuries and how to prevent them, we create a safe and supportive environment where students can thrive—not just as gamers, but as healthy, active individuals in all areas of their lives.
References
- DiFrancisco-Donoghue, J., Balentine, J., Schmidt, G., & Zwibel, H. (2020). Managing the health of the eSport athlete: An integrated health management model. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 6(1).
- Zwibel, H., DiFrancisco-Donoghue, J., Defeo, A., & Yao, S. (2019). An osteopathic approach to esports. The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, 119(11), 756-762.
- Lim “BoxeR” Yo-hwan, Wikipedia.
- Kim “Birdring” Ji-hyeok, Wikipedia.
- Esports Healthcare (2021). Common Esports Injuries.