Diet Habit, Musculoskeletal Pain, Physiological Stress, Sedentary Behavior
Conditions
Keywords
Esport athletes, Preventative intervention, Exercise program
Brief summary
This study aims to develop a holistic, multidisciplinary health monitoring/screening module that evaluates the health and performance parameters of esports players, and to apply and assess the effectiveness of an individualized multidisciplinary preventive intervention program (PIP) based on the screening findings. Esports players are frequently exposed to prolonged sitting, repetitive movements, high screen time, and irregular lifestyle habits, which can lead to musculoskeletal problems, visual strain, increased cardiovascular load, sleep disturbances, and psychological effects. Comprehensive, systematic, and multidisciplinary screening models addressing these risks remain limited in the literature. Amateur and/or professional players from the Yeditepe University Esports Club will undergo a multidimensional baseline assessment covering cardiovascular and respiratory parameters, musculoskeletal analysis, visual strain, nutritional status, cognitive function, and mental status. Participants will then be allocated to a control group or an intervention group. The intervention group will complete a 12-week individualized preventive exercise protocol in addition to their usual training, while the control group continues their usual training routine. All measurements will be repeated after 12 weeks to evaluate the effectiveness of the program.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALMultidisciplinary Preventive Exercise Program
A 12-week individualized program delivered 2 days per week, integrated into gameplay as a 5-minute exercise block during the 10-minute break following each 45-minute play session. Three components: (1) dynamic stretching and mobility (thoracic extension, hip swings, pectoralis dynamic stretches; 2 sets x 10 reps each); (2) strength and endurance (craniocervical flexion 2x15 with 10-sec holds, plank 3x15 sec, isometric wrist extension 3x45 sec at 30% MVIC, air squats 3x12); (3) vestibular and visual training (quiet eye training 2x15, letter-tracking, and sport-specific VOR training 3x20 sec each).
Sponsors
Yeditepe University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Intervention model description
Two parallel groups: an intervention group receiving a 12-week multidisciplinary preventive exercise program in addition to usual training, and a control group continuing usual training.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
18 Years to 35 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Aged 18-35 years * Active esports player at university or professional level * Regularly engaged in esports training/play for at least the past 6 months (\>=3 days/week) * Cognitively able to understand and complete the tests and questionnaires * Average daily screen/gaming exposure of \>=3 hours * Willing to participate in the assessment and exercise program and providing written informed consent
Exclusion criteria
* Serious musculoskeletal injury or surgery within the past 6 months * Diagnosed neurological disease (e.g., epilepsy, MS, Parkinson's) * Cardiovascular or respiratory disease that contraindicates exercise * Diagnosed serious psychiatric disorder (e.g., major depression, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders) or being in active treatment * Regular medication use at a level that could affect physiological or cognitive measurements * Any condition that would prevent regular participation throughout the study (e.g., time constraints, lack of motivation)
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in core endurance (McGill Core Endurance Test Battery) | Baseline and 12 weeks | Trunk muscle endurance assessed with the McGill Core Endurance Test Battery (trunk flexor, extensor, and lateral bridge endurance times in seconds). Change from baseline to week 12 is compared between groups. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in upper extremity function (DASH) | Baseline and 12 weeks | Self-reported upper extremity disability measured with the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire. |
| Change in pain (McGill Pain Questionnaire, MPQ) | Baseline and 12 weeks | Pain experience assessed with the short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire. |
| Change in functional exercise capacity (6-Minute Walk Test) | Baseline and 12 weeks | Distance walked in 6 minutes (meters), reflecting cardiovascular/functional capacity. |
| Change in muscle mechanical properties (MyotonPRO) | Baseline and 12 weeks | Muscle tone, stiffness, and elasticity measured with the MyotonPRO device. |
| Change in hand grip strength (Jamar dynamometer) | Baseline and 12 weeks | Maximal grip strength measured with a Jamar hydraulic hand dynamometer. |
| Change in posture (PostureScreen Mobile) | Baseline and 12 weeks | Postural angular deviations of head, shoulder, trunk, and hip segments assessed photogrammetrically with the PostureScreen Mobile application. |
| Change in Maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) | Baseline and 12 weeks | Maximal inspiratory pressure measured with the Micro RPM device. |
| Change in attention (d2 Test of Attention) | Baseline and 12 weeks | Attention performance assessed with the d2 Test of Attention. |
| Change in sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI) | Baseline and 12 weeks | Sleep quality measured with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. |
| Change in psychological status (DASS-21) | Baseline and 12 weeks | Depression, anxiety, and stress levels measured with the DASS-21 scale. |
| Change in maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) | Baseline and 12 weeks | Maximal expiratory pressure measured with the Micro RPM device. |
| Change in response inhibition (Go/No-Go Test) | Baseline and 12 weeks | Response inhibition assessed with the Go/No-Go task. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed