It may come as a shock to you that gamers and Esport athletes can face health problems from their sport. After all, they spend all day sitting. There is no contact with other players, jumping, running, throwing, or the like. However, just like all athletes who spend hours perfecting their chosen passion, those who play video games can also suffer from repetitive movements and other effects from sitting so much.
Obutto has been making the best sim racing cockpits and ergonomic workstations since 2006. We have dedicated thousands of hours to creating a comfortable, ergonomic gaming chair that will allow you to play for hours with no aches and pains. Fully adjustable to fit you and your needs, the chair, monitor stands, keyboards, and mouse tray can all be customized to you. Below, we’ll go over the most common health problems gamers face. Contact us to learn more about these best gaming chairs today!
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and/or Wrist Injuries
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a serious condition that afflicts up to five percent of adults in the United States. It’s caused by a pinched nerve, the median nerve, in the hand and forearm that causes pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand, fingers, and arm. The nerve sits in a narrow passage called the carpal tunnel. There are a number of factors that cause carpal tunnel syndrome, including a wrist fracture, chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, obesity, and more. Many people think that carpal tunnel is caused by repetitive use of a computer since the hand and wrist are constantly flexing; however, there is no conclusive evidence to support this assumption.
However, for gamers, the intense use of their hands and fingers to play can cause inflammation and swelling, which puts pressure on the median nerve that then would cause the syndrome. This condition could be career ending to gamers, even young ones. It’s important to take the early signs of carpal tunnel syndrome, such as hand or wrist pain, seriously. Wrist injuries can occur as well from playing games repeatedly, which, for obvious reasons, can definitely set a gaming career back.
Obesity
For performance for any sport, you have to lead a healthy lifestyle. This includes diet, exercise, and mental well-being. Due to the nature of gaming, it requires a lot of time in front of a computer sitting, which is not a whole lot of physical activity. Thus, this can lead to weight gain and obesity if gamers do not work diligently to incorporate good eating habits and exercise into their daily routines. Practicing gaming is important, but equally so is getting up, going for a jog, lifting weights, or other forms of activity that you like to do. Meal planning is essential as well. Many gamers make healthy meals for the entire week so then they can just grab and go without missing out on crucial practice time. One key to combating obesity is scheduling exercise within your day and sticking to it. Another great way to get movement in and take a break from the screen is to go for a short walk every couple of hours. When it’s part of your routine, you’ll stay healthy and won’t even have to think about it.
Poor Posture and a Collapsed Lung
Those who sit in front of a computer, whether gamers or those with desk jobs, are at risk for poor posture. After all, it’s easy to hunch your shoulders and round your back while typing and playing without even realizing it. This can cause aches and pains both towards the end of the day and in the morning when you wake up, which doesn’t exactly make gaming any fun. Thus, paying attention to ergonomics and the gaming chair you are using can make a huge difference in play and performance. The right ergonomic gaming chair can distribute the weight of your body more evenly and help you to sit correctly so you don’t have to think about it. Obutto has spent over a decade helping gamers have correct ergonomic positioning with our racing cockpits and best flight simulators. Collapsed lung, or pneumothorax, can happen as well from gaming, although experts are unsure why.
Mental Fatigue and Burnout
Professional gamers often work long hours to get to be that good at their chosen games. They can practice for over 12 hours a day, which is more than the average workday. They begin at really young ages, often still as a teenager, and they enter an adult world that is full of high pressure stakes with a lot of money on the line. Despite what people think, playing video games at that level and being one of the top players in the world takes a lot of strategizing and focus. It takes a lot of mental energy, and one lapse at a pivotal moment in the game can cause the entire game to be lost — in effect, losing months of preparation. This type of pressure can lead to burnout, which is why many gamers end up retiring in their mid-twenties.
Insomnia and Sleep Deprivation
When you’re a gamer, you love playing, and it’s super easy to get swept up in the game and have no idea what time it is, especially at night during the winter when the sun sets early and doesn’t rise till late. In fact, according to a recent study by The American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the average gamer stays up late 36 percent of the nights they are gaming. This sleep deprivation can affect many aspects of life, from lack of focus and concentration to your body having a hard time recovering from illnesses or injuries. Your memory can be affected if sleep deprivation becomes chronic, and your stress levels can increase. Your brain processes all of the “stuff” from the previous day while you are sleeping, and over time, this lack of processing time can cause health problems in the long run.
CHOOSE OBUTTO FOR YOUR ERGONOMIC GAMING CHAIR TODAY
Obutto offers the best computer workstations and ergonomic gaming chair with speakers. Our sim racing cockpits have been perfected over the course of 10 years to ensure your gaming time is fun, enjoyable, and pain-free. Our cushioned, race-car seat reclines and is adjustable, so you can sit with your legs raised and stretched out. Our keyboard and mouse tray are fully articulating, allowing for full range of motion and positioning. Our monitor stands can be raised or lowered as well as adjusted for the perfect viewing distance for your eyes. Everything you need is within reach, from your peripherals to your coffee cup. This racing simulator cockpit is made out of a stable, thick-walled carbon steel frame and comes with a stable youke and steering wheel mount. In sum, every square inch of our best gaming chairs have been thought out with you, the gamer, in mind.
Obutto has been supporting gamers since 2006. If you partner with us, we believe you can significantly reduce the common gaming health problems listed above, feel better about your gaming, and enjoy your gaming time more. If you are interested in learning more, reach out to our team today!