DiFrancisco-Donoghue Joanne, Jung Min-Kyung, Balentine Matteo J, Zwibel Hallie
Department of Osteopathic Medicine, NYIT Center for Esports Medicine, College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, NY 11568, USA.
Department of Research, College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, NY 11568, USA.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2025 Apr 26;22(5):687. doi: 10.3390/ijerph22050687.
Competitive gaming presents unique musculoskeletal challenges due to prolonged sitting and repetitive hand and arm movements. This study explores gender-specific regional lean body mass (LBM) differences and their associations with musculoskeletal discomfort in competitive gamers. Sixty participants (30 gamers and 30 matched controls; 15 males and 15 females in each group) underwent DXA scans to assess total and regional LBM, handgrip strength tests, and self-reported musculoskeletal pain surveys. Controls were matched for age and BMI and reported comparable academic and screen time but were not engaged in competitive gaming. Male gamers exhibited significantly reduced forearm ( < 0.05) and upper body LBM ( < 0.001), alongside lower grip strength ( < 0.001), compared to controls. Female gamers demonstrated lower upper body LBM ( = 0.01) but showed no significant differences in forearm lean mass or grip strength. In male gamers, negative correlations were observed between forearm LBM and lower back pain (r = -0.59, < 0.01), highlighting the protective role of regional LBM against discomfort. Extended gaming duration was associated with increased musculoskeletal pain in both sexes ( < 0.05). These findings emphasize the need for targeted ergonomic interventions and physical conditioning programs to address muscle imbalances and reduce injury risk in esports athletes. Future research should focus on longitudinal and interventional designs to optimize musculoskeletal health and performance in this growing population.
由于长时间坐着以及手部和手臂的重复性动作，竞技游戏带来了独特的肌肉骨骼挑战。本研究探讨了竞技游戏玩家中特定性别的局部去脂体重（LBM）差异及其与肌肉骨骼不适的关联。60名参与者（30名游戏玩家和30名匹配的对照组；每组15名男性和15名女性）接受了双能X线吸收法扫描以评估全身和局部LBM、握力测试以及自我报告的肌肉骨骼疼痛调查。对照组在年龄和体重指数方面进行了匹配，并且报告了相当的学业和屏幕使用时间，但未参与竞技游戏。与对照组相比，男性游戏玩家的前臂（<0.05）和上身LBM显著降低（<0.001），同时握力较低（<0.001）。女性游戏玩家的上身LBM较低（=0.01），但在前臂去脂体重或握力方面没有显著差异。在男性游戏玩家中，观察到前臂LBM与下背部疼痛之间存在负相关（r = -0.59，<0.01），突出了局部LBM对不适的保护作用。延长游戏时间与两性肌肉骨骼疼痛增加相关（<0.05）。这些发现强调了需要有针对性的人体工程学干预和身体训练计划，以解决肌肉失衡问题并降低电子竞技运动员的受伤风险。未来的研究应侧重于纵向和干预性设计，以优化这一不断增长的人群的肌肉骨骼健康和表现。
