Players can benefit from having an individualized exercise and nutrition program to help them play at their peak capacities, improve their personal health and fitness, and increase their longevity as an eSport athlete.
A study conducted by scientists at the German Sports University found results that eSports athletes have physical strains similar to that of "normal" athletes.
The study was lead by Professor Ingo Froböse who was the first scientist to conduct a study of eSports athletes. Previously no one had looked at the demands being placed on an eSport professional, the type of training they need to go through to compete, and the kind of strains they are exposed to during a tournament.
The results were surprising. They found that eSports athletes had a high demand being placed on there motor skills and that the level of strain they observed was like no other sport they had ever examined including a demanding sport like table tennis.
To find out more they conducted tests to determine the demands being placed on their minds by examining the amount of stress hormone, cortisol, in their system.
To someone unfamiliar with eSports they may just see players randomly pressing buttons and moving there mice but Froböse rejects this notion.
He found that the amount of cortisol produced is about the same as a race car driver. "This is combined with a high pulse, sometimes as high as 160 to 180 beats per minute, which is equivalent to what happened during a very fast run, almost a marathon. That's not to mention the motor skills involved. So in my opinion, eSports are just as demanding as most other types of sports, if not more demanding," he said.
Unfortunately most players don't seem to understand these demands and fail to adjust their nutrition and training methods accordingly.
"In terms of their fitness, many of our test subjects are simply average citizens, and average citizens worry me. They simply aren't fit," Froböse said. "For example, they fail to do exercises that would strengthen the whole support system in the shoulder and neck areas. Were they to do this, this would improve their fine-motor skills in the arm area, something that is extremely important in competition."
As far as Froböse can see, the training regimes of the majority of eSports professionals consist of spending hours in front of the computer every day. He believes that players should be doing physical training programs and exercises to relax the body.
Froböse is convinced that a professional training regime and better nutrition could solve one problem that many eSports professionals are confronted with which is their careers ending in their early 20's. Better exercise and nutrition can be just the thing to increase the longevity of gaming careers.
These scientists are not the only ones emphasizing the benefits of proper exercise and nutrition. Rick Fox, owner of Echo Fox is also a firm supporter. He says “a lack of daily movement is an issue not just in gaming but in a large majority of the world, Our athletes know that in order to perform their best, they need to be physically fit and agile, so nutrition and working out has become an important part of their daily regimen.”
Whether your an amateur, enthusiast, or professional eSports player, fitness training can help improve your game and yourself. Many top teams are adopting their own regimens and if you're looking to make it to the top then my advice is to start training now because good habits will go a long way. If you are not looking to become a pro then fitness training can be a great way for you to stay in shape and increase the enjoyment of gaming.
For professional training and advice, check out my online & mobile training packages and if you enjoyed this article, please like & share.
Best Regards,
Jake Middleton
ESPL Founder
The study was lead by Professor Ingo Froböse who was the first scientist to conduct a study of eSports athletes. Previously no one had looked at the demands being placed on an eSport professional, the type of training they need to go through to compete, and the kind of strains they are exposed to during a tournament.
The results were surprising. They found that eSports athletes had a high demand being placed on there motor skills and that the level of strain they observed was like no other sport they had ever examined including a demanding sport like table tennis.
To find out more they conducted tests to determine the demands being placed on their minds by examining the amount of stress hormone, cortisol, in their system.
To someone unfamiliar with eSports they may just see players randomly pressing buttons and moving there mice but Froböse rejects this notion.
He found that the amount of cortisol produced is about the same as a race car driver. "This is combined with a high pulse, sometimes as high as 160 to 180 beats per minute, which is equivalent to what happened during a very fast run, almost a marathon. That's not to mention the motor skills involved. So in my opinion, eSports are just as demanding as most other types of sports, if not more demanding," he said.
Unfortunately most players don't seem to understand these demands and fail to adjust their nutrition and training methods accordingly.
"In terms of their fitness, many of our test subjects are simply average citizens, and average citizens worry me. They simply aren't fit," Froböse said. "For example, they fail to do exercises that would strengthen the whole support system in the shoulder and neck areas. Were they to do this, this would improve their fine-motor skills in the arm area, something that is extremely important in competition."
As far as Froböse can see, the training regimes of the majority of eSports professionals consist of spending hours in front of the computer every day. He believes that players should be doing physical training programs and exercises to relax the body.
Froböse is convinced that a professional training regime and better nutrition could solve one problem that many eSports professionals are confronted with which is their careers ending in their early 20's. Better exercise and nutrition can be just the thing to increase the longevity of gaming careers.
These scientists are not the only ones emphasizing the benefits of proper exercise and nutrition. Rick Fox, owner of Echo Fox is also a firm supporter. He says “a lack of daily movement is an issue not just in gaming but in a large majority of the world, Our athletes know that in order to perform their best, they need to be physically fit and agile, so nutrition and working out has become an important part of their daily regimen.”
Whether your an amateur, enthusiast, or professional eSports player, fitness training can help improve your game and yourself. Many top teams are adopting their own regimens and if you're looking to make it to the top then my advice is to start training now because good habits will go a long way. If you are not looking to become a pro then fitness training can be a great way for you to stay in shape and increase the enjoyment of gaming.
For professional training and advice, check out my online & mobile training packages and if you enjoyed this article, please like & share.
Best Regards,
Jake Middleton
ESPL Founder