Health on the esports circuit: Competitive video game players can face a range of injuries

Competitive gaming demands high levels of fine motor speed and cognitive function, exposing athletes to unique physical and mental health risks. Dr. Jane Konidis of the Mayo Clinic highlights that the intensity of professional play, which can reach 600 actions per minute, leads to conditions ranging from chronic eyestrain to musculoskeletal overuse. As the esports sector matures, the implementation of tailored medical screenings and multidisciplinary care is becoming essential to ensure the long-term viability of player careers.

Dr. Jane Konidis, director of Gaming and Esports Medicine at Mayo Clinic, reports that esports athletes face significant physical demands that mirror or exceed those of traditional sedentary professions. While novice players average 50 actions per minute, advanced competitors can reach 500 to 600 moves per minute, leading to high rates of repetitive strain. Eyestrain is the most prevalent issue, affecting approximately 56% of competitive gamers according to research in BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, resulting in symptoms like blurred vision, headaches, and eye fatigue due to extended screen exposure.

Beyond ocular health, the sedentary nature of the sport contributes to gluteal amnesia and various musculoskeletal injuries. Prolonged sitting can weaken the gluteus maximus, causing secondary issues like lower back and knee pain, while repetitive fine motor movements from controllers and mice often progress into carpal tunnel syndrome or common extensor tendinopathy, also known as gamer's elbow. Furthermore, the industry is seeing rare but serious cases of gamer's thrombosis, or venous thromboembolism, typically associated with extreme sessions lasting several consecutive days or underlying medical vulnerabilities.

The mental and physiological impact of the esports circuit also includes disrupted circadian rhythms due to blue light exposure and international travel across time zones. Dr. Konidis advocates for the gaming industry to adopt health screening protocols similar to those used in traditional sports, but specifically tailored to the fine motor and cognitive needs of gamers. Mayo Clinic’s multidisciplinary approach—incorporating physical therapists, hand surgeons, and psychologists—serves as a model for how organizations can address the specific metabolic, cardiovascular, and mental health risks inherent in professional gaming.