How to Cite
Sant, K., & Micallef Stafrace, K. (2021). Upper Limb Injuries secondary to Overuse in the Esports community. Is this a rising epidemic?. International Journal of Esports, 2(2). Retrieved from https://www.ijesports.org/article/39/html
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Published: 22 Dec 2021
Reviewers (Double-Blinded)
Peer reviewed by 1 anonymous reviewer
Jake Middleton
Adamas Esports
Craig McNulty
Queensland University of Technology
Open Access Review

Upper Limb Injuries secondary to Overuse in the Esports community. Is this a rising epidemic?

by Kurstein Sant*, Kirill Micallef Stafrace
*Correspondence to Kurstein Sant, University of Malta
Email: kursteinsant@gmail.com

Received: 13 Jan 2021 / Published: 22 Dec 2021

Abstract

Esports has increased in popularity over the last few years with increased viewership, revenues, participation, and an increase in the number of elite players. Over 400 fine motor movements per minute are carried out by Esports players and with professional and elite players reporting practising and playing for over 10 hours every day, this would give rise to overuse injuries, especially in the upper limb. Carpal tunnel syndrome, lateral epicondylitis and tendinopathies are reported to be the commonest upper limb musculoskeletal injuries in Esports players which can also lead to the end of their career.  With the worldwide increase in Esports athletes we can only expect a concomitant rise in associated injuries.  There is, however, very limited research on injuries sustained by Esports players and ways to prevent such injuries with more studies being advocated to further this knowledge among the Esport community.

Keywords: injuries; musculoskeletal; upper limb; hand; elbow; injuries, musculoskeletal, upper limb, hand, elbow