Abstract:
In Thailand, e-sport players have gained significant popularity in recent years. As practicing and challenging e-sports require long hours of sitting and repetitive movements, players may experience sedentary behavior and musculoskeletal disorders, which can affect their performance and overall health. This study investigated musculoskeletal disorders of the neck and upper extremity in e-sport players and examined the relationship between potential factors involved in the disorders including e-sport playing time and position.
This exploratory study used the validated questionnaire to determine the e-sport playing time, body discomfort assessment, and rapid office strain assessment (ROSA). Moreover, shoulder mobility test was used to determine shoulder flexibility. The data were collected from 137 players, average aged 20.20 years in Kamphaeng Phet e-sport association.
This study revealed that the average playing time was 190.73 minutes (~3 hours) per session and 4.33 session per day. There was no musculoskeletal disorder in the most of e-sport players. However, some players reported body discomfort, particularly in the hand/wrist, neck, and lower back, respectively. In additions, the most of players (67.6%) showed a high and the highest risk level of ergonomics from ROSA score. In the other hand, the most of players (52.6%) presented shoulder flexibility at a good level. There was the significant correlation between playing session per day and body discomfort at the left lower back. Interestingly, the risk level of ergonomics could be associated with musculoskeletal disorders of the neck and upper extremity in e-sport players. There were significant correlations between ROSA score and body discomfort at left neck, right neck, left shoulder, right shoulder, and right hand/wrist.
In conclusion, despite demonstrating good shoulder flexibility and a relatively low incidence of musculoskeletal disorders, the e-sport players exhibited a high-risk level of ergonomics. In addition, the results showed that musculoskeletal disorders of the neck and upper extremity significantly correlated with the risk level of ergonomics. Body discomfort at lower back also significantly correlated with the playing session per day. These results suggested that there were significant concerns regarding the ergonomic practices and the risk reduction by regular breaks incorporated with stretching exercises to alleviate muscle tension.