Company insight
Supplementing health for esport athletes
Professional video gaming is highly popular but not highly researched. BDI-BioLife Science presents a range of evidence that shows how natural astaxanthin from microalgae haematococcus pluvialis can positively affect the health of eSport athletes.
P
rofessional video gaming, also known as esports, has gained popularity at a immense pace and become a billion-dollar business. Professional esport competitions are on the rise and enjoy a rapidly growing number of viewers around the world, playing an increasingly important role in the sports industry. Quick reactions, good hand-eye coordination, and the ability to remain highly focused for many hours are essential skills to success as a professional gamer. Similar to other traditional competitive sports, athletes train many hours a day, increasing the risk of overuse injuries. Common complaints reported by esports players include eye fatigue (asthenopia), neck and back pain and hand and wrist injuries. Despite the increasing popularity, esports and the health risks associated with playing video games have received little attention in scientific research. Only a few studies on gamers’ health and the possibility of preventing overuse injuries have been conducted.
Blue light exposure
Esports players typically spend many hours per day in front of screens heavily illuminated with LEDs. Recent research suggests that overexposure to LEDs artificial blue light, most harmful from 400nm to 495nm, has a negative impact on our bodies and especially on the eyes. Due to its energy emission and short wavelength, it easily reaches the retina, inducing retinal damage and photoreceptor degeneration. Blue light has been shown to increase the production of highly reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to “oxidative stress” by disrupting the oxidative balance of cells. The result is damage to molecular structures and inflammatory reactions. ROS-induced oxidative stress and associated inflammatory reactions are responsible for light-induced
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Players who reported hand pain Yes
No
Players who reported eye fatigue Yes
No 30% 70%
Players who reported back of neck pain Yes
No 48% 52%
Players who reported wrist pain Yes
No
30% 70% Common complaints reported by eSports athletes.
photochemical injury in retinal or corneal epithelial cells by peroxidation of DNA, lipids, proteins and carbohydrates. In addition, high-energy and short- wavelength blue light causes light rays to scatter, leading to increased flicker and glare. During a long computer session, the ciliary muscle around the lens must contract strongly to focus on the screen due to the high-energy blue light. With increasing duration of daily screen work, the
accommodative power of the ciliary body, which controls lens refraction, is impaired. Blurred vision, eyestrain and fatigue (asthenopia), accompanied by inflammation, are the result. Symptoms of eye fatigue include red, light sensitive, painful, irritated, burning, sore and dry eyes, visual disturbances, headaches, stiff shoulders and neck pain. Another known effect is sleep disturbances due to the disruption of the circadian rhythm, which affects personal
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