Physical complaints and their relationships to esports activities among Japanese esports players: A cross-sectional study

In the evolving landscape of electronic sports (esports), where economic and social expectations are soaring, a critical concern has emerged in physical complaints among esports players. However, empirical insights into these complaints’ prevalence and influencing factors are scarce. This study aimed to clarify the prevalence of physical complaints and their association with esports activities among Japanese esports players. A web-based cross-sectional survey encompassing 175 esports players from both professional and amateur teams in Japan was conducted. The analysis focused on 79 male participants (average age: 21.6 ± 5.6 years) with complete responses. The survey items included the esports factors (the device mainly used, the duration of esports titles played primarily, hours of esports activities per day on weekdays and holidays, and the distance between the screen and the face during esports activities) and physical complaints (headache, neck pain, stiff or sore shoulders, wrist pain, finger pain, lower back pain, and eye fatigue). A total of 49.4% reported stiff or sore shoulders, 48.1% faced eye fatigue, and 30.4% had headaches. Professionals exhibited a significantly higher likelihood of neck, wrist, and lower back pain and eye fatigue than amateurs. Age-adjusted logistic regression analysis uncovered that using mainly mobile devices and being closer to the screen and face during esports activities were significantly associated with neck pain, stiff or sore shoulders, lower back pain, and eye fatigue. These results suggest that poor posture caused by using mobile devices and being closer to the screen during esports activities was related to various physical complaints.