Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2025

Measuring Engagement of Spectators of Social Digital Games
Published on: July 3, 2021
How strenuous is esports? Perceived physical exertion and physical state during competitive video gaming
Chuck Tholl1, Markus Soffner2, Ingo Froböse1
1Department of Movement-Oriented Prevention and Rehabilitation Sciences, Institute of Movement Therapy and Movement-Oriented Prevention and Rehabilitation, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
Introduction:
Esports or competitive video gaming is a rapidly growing sector and an integral part of today's (youth) culture. Esports athletes are exposed to a variety of burdens, that can potentially impact an athlete's health and performance. Therefore, it is important that esports athletes are aware of (physical) burden and exertion associated with esports. For this purpose, a study was conducted to evaluate the influence of competitive video gaming on the perceived physical exertion and the perceived physical state (PEPS).
Methods:
Thirty-two healthy male esports athletes participated in two competitive video gaming sessions lasting 90-120 min, interrupted by a 10-minute passive sitting break. Repeated measures of perceived physical exertion (Borg Categorial Ratio-10 scale) and perceived physical state were recorded before, during, and after each video game session. Repeated measures ANOVA and Friedman's test were used for statistical analysis.
Results:
The results showed a significant difference in all dimensions of the PEPS (p < 0.05) as well as in Borg scale (p < 0.001). Post-hoc tests revealed significant increases in Borg scale between baseline measurements (T0: 1.0 ± 1.0) and after the first competitive video gaming session (T1: 2.4 ± 1.3, p < 0.001), as well as after the second competitive video gaming session (T3: 3.0 ± 1.7, p < 0.001). Furthermore, there was a significant reduction in perceived exertion between the measurement time after the first competitive video gaming session (T1) and the break (T2: 1.3 ± 1.2, p < 0.001). The PEPS dimensions activation, trained, and mobility showed similar significant changes in post-hoc analysis.
Discussion:
The results indicate that the perceived physical burden significantly increases during esports participation. As the duration of competitive video gaming extends, the perceived physical state decreases and perceived physical exertion increases. A passive break between two video game sessions can at least partially restore physical exertion and physical state. However, this break neither returns the scores to their baseline levels nor prevents a further decline in scores during the second video game session. Over time and with a lack of observation, this could result in health and performance limitations.
More Related Videos
10:21Evaluation of Hydration Status by Bioelectrical Impedance Vector Analysis in Patients with Ischemic Heart Disease Undergoing Exercise Stress Test
Published on: September 22, 2023
09:33Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Wearable Devices to Identify Central Versus Peripheral Limitations During Exercise
Published on: December 19, 2024
Related Concept Videos
Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
Exercise Stress Test
Exercise stress testing, commonly known as a treadmill test, is a noninvasive procedure used to evaluate cardiovascular function and diagnose heart conditions.
Definition
An exercise stress test measures the heart's response to exertion using a treadmill or stationary bicycle. Chest electrodes record the heart's electrical activity through an ECG, and blood pressure is monitored regularly.
Purposes
Exercise and Cardiac Output
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be...
Social Facilitation
Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract II: Inspection
Chest Configuration
The chest configuration...
Exercise and Muscle Performance
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...