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What Gamers Have In Common With Top Athletes

nk497 writes "It's no surprise that professional gamers aren't quite as fit as elite athletes, but they do have something in common. According to a British academic, top-level players show similar psychological attributes as top athletes, such as the ability to manage anxiety, and have reaction times on par with fighter pilots. Dr. Micklewright said, 'When I first got asked to do [the study], my initial reaction was "don't be ridiculous, gaming is nothing like sport." But the more I thought about it, the more similarities [became clear], and I became more and more convinced that it was close in many ways to sport.' While sitting in front of a screen might not have the same physical demands as running a marathon, neither do playing snooker or darts. Still, while gamers show good reflexes, their health was worse than expected, with one 20-something professional player showing the same aerobic health as a 60-year-old smoker." This story is based on a BBC radio report which you can currently hear, although that link seems to say that it won't last.

4 of 201 comments (clear)

  1. nothing wrong here by scharkalvin · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    AS long as Google still shows OTHER hits for such searches I would say let BP pay Google through their nose to get their links to the top of the list.

  2. How to stay healthy while gaming by Pojut · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    Many of them are obvious suggestions, but here are some tips on how to stay healthy while gaming. I hope it helps some of you folks out.

    Mods, please mod this post offtopic or troll due to website pumping.

    1. Re:How to stay healthy while gaming by Pojut · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      didn't have any mod points today sadly. I said it because I don't like Pojut much, every second or third post of his is just him fishing for hits to his shitty blog I find.

      My karma says otherwise. But hey, no biggie...can't please everyone!

    2. Re:How to stay healthy while gaming by Pojut · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      Maybe you should post under your actual account instead of granting credence to the Greater Internet Fuckwad Theory.

      I mean, come on...if you are going to flame someone, at least have the balls to do it under your username.