Perspectives of eFootball Players and Staff Members Regarding the Effects of Esports on Health: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background

Recently, esports have been argued to impact esports players' health, particularly for those competing at higher levels. Esports are a relatively new phenomenon, and an inside perspective regarding esports players’ needs and experiences is essential to promote adequate health support for this population. Thus, in this qualitative study, we explored the perspectives of elite esports players and staff members regarding the effects of esports participation on health. Ten semi-structured interviews were performed with members of the Portuguese FIFA (i.e. FIFA EA Sports ^®) eFootball National team (i.e. five elite electronic football players, one world-class electronic football player, two national team coaches, and two members of the esports department). Data analysis was undertaken following the principles of thematic analysis.

Results

We identified four major superordinate themes: health definition (1), factors of esports that impact mental (2) and mental health (3), and strategies to improve esports players’ health (4). Esports-related factors such as gaming, competition, and performance were said to impact mental health, while equipment, facilities, and esports-related sitting time affect physical health. To minimise those risks, four main strategies were suggested: optimising and scheduling esports training, improving lifestyle habits with an emphasis on physical health, enhancing facilities and equipment, and improving health support, particularly with a mental health professional.

Conclusion

Esports players and staff members are concerned and aware of esports’ mental and physical demands. Understanding what esports players need and perceive about their health, complemented with the view of staff members, and their proposed strategies for health promotion might help define and prioritise healthcare needs, which could help players and the broad esports community.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40798-023-00617-0.

Key Points

1. Esports have been seen to affect esports players' mental and physical health.

2. Esports players may benefit from playing esports by improving cognitive ability and by its positive effects on mental health when players accomplish good performances.

3. Esports participation may be associated with symptoms of common health problems related to esports competition and low performance, while impacting physical health due to using equipment for long periods or in an incorrect way, besides the associated sitting time.

4. The main strategies suggested to improve esports players' health were optimising esports training and scheduling, improving lifestyle habits, enhancing facilities and equipment, and improving health support.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40798-023-00617-0.