Esports program participation in school context: effects on different lifestyle habits and health

Background: The growing popularity of esports (video game competition) is pushing schools to offer programs (Schaeperkoetter et al., 2017). Esports are sometimes considered problematic, due to the lack of physical activity (PA) and its sedentary nature. Conversely, professional esports athletes have better lifestyle habits than the general population (Monteiro Pereira et al., 2022).
Purpose: The objective of this research project was to document the effects of participation in an esports program on different lifestyle habits and health.
Methods: Students (n = 39) aged 12 to 16 divided into three programs (esports, sports and regular) participated in the project. They wore an accelerometer for seven days, answered questionnaires about their physical and mental health and participated in a focus group on the risks and benefits associated with esports.
Results: Esports students are more sedentary and practice less PA than those in other programs. The time spent playing video games during the week and on weekends is not different between the three programs. Most students reported that the time they spend playing video games has a negative effect on their sleep and physical health, but a positive effect on their social relationships and mental health.
Conclusions: There is little research on the lifestyle habits of esports players. Examining the phenomenon of esports in school context could lead stakeholders to better define and understand this innovation and thus reduce the impacts that certain students or schools may face (Bányai et al., 2018).
References
Bányai, F., et al. (2019). The psychology of esports: A systematic literature review. Journal of gambling studies, 35(2), 351-365.
Masala, D., and Iona, T. (2018). The Psycho-pedagogic Value of Video Games and E-sports. Senses and Sciences, 5(4), 676-683.
Schaeperkoetter, C. C., et al., (2017). The “New” Student-Athlete: An exploratory examination of scholarship eSports players. Journal of Intercollegiate Sport, 10(1), 1-21.