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Professional Videogamers Are Working Out (wsj.com)
Hoping to avoid injuries, gamers get physical training; squat jumps, ginger smoothies and yoga. From a report: Esports, the world of professional videogaming, is looking more and more like other sports, with big sponsors, prize money, fan bases -- and player injuries. In response, teams are educating players on ergonomics, hiring personal chefs and sending gamers to the gym [Editor's note: the link may be paywalled]. Sweden's Ninjas in Pyjamas, one of esports' most accomplished teams, distributes an illustrated fitness guide to players with nearly two dozen recommended "core" exercises like burpees, Superman lifts and squat jumps. It has also instituted a "no pizza" rule before morning matches and mandated teams take pregame walks.
Before matches, hand-warming packets are doled out to its two dozen players. "If you have warm hands, you reduce the risk of injury versus cold hands," says Hicham Chahine, Ninjas' chief executive. The potential for injuries -- most frequently in the wrists, hands and fingers -- is rising due to the popularity of the $900 million esports universe. With new leagues and a proliferation of competitions, for some games, tournaments are popping up nearly every other week. "Everyone is susceptible to injuries in everything that is done to an extreme," says Veli-Matti Karhulahti, of Finland's University of Turku, who along with co-author Tuomas Kari, has published peer-reviewed research on physical activity in esports.
South Korean team KT Rolster hired a nutritionist two years ago who dictates breakfast, lunch and dinner. Brown rice was substituted for white rice. Players craving fast food or instant ramen must now make a special request to do so, says Jeong Je-seung, KT Rolster's coach and a former professional gamer. In his playing days, Mr. Jeong says low salaries meant "if you could eat three times a day as an esports player back then it was enough." Top players can now earn millions of dollars annually in prize money and sponsorships. The 2018 world championship for "Dota 2," a game where teams raid opponents' bases, carried a purse of nearly $25 million.
Before matches, hand-warming packets are doled out to its two dozen players. "If you have warm hands, you reduce the risk of injury versus cold hands," says Hicham Chahine, Ninjas' chief executive. The potential for injuries -- most frequently in the wrists, hands and fingers -- is rising due to the popularity of the $900 million esports universe. With new leagues and a proliferation of competitions, for some games, tournaments are popping up nearly every other week. "Everyone is susceptible to injuries in everything that is done to an extreme," says Veli-Matti Karhulahti, of Finland's University of Turku, who along with co-author Tuomas Kari, has published peer-reviewed research on physical activity in esports.
South Korean team KT Rolster hired a nutritionist two years ago who dictates breakfast, lunch and dinner. Brown rice was substituted for white rice. Players craving fast food or instant ramen must now make a special request to do so, says Jeong Je-seung, KT Rolster's coach and a former professional gamer. In his playing days, Mr. Jeong says low salaries meant "if you could eat three times a day as an esports player back then it was enough." Top players can now earn millions of dollars annually in prize money and sponsorships. The 2018 world championship for "Dota 2," a game where teams raid opponents' bases, carried a purse of nearly $25 million.
I can vouch for this. I used to be mostly sedentary, then I started walking everywhere. I mean EVERYWHERE. I'm on a low income, so skipping the bus fare saves a lot in the long run for me. (Helps I'm in a city where many things are available mere kilometres away.) Avoiding sidewalks and being able to take nature trails partially downtown is a big bonus, because concrete will always kill your feet in the long run no matter what shoes you're wearing.
Also climb the stairs of my mid-rise to the 10th floor from the basement while lifting some kettle bells. I'd gotten out of the habit of doing it recently and I can't do it easily anymore, but even doing it ONCE reduced my typing RSI significantly overnight. All those arm muscles do actually DO something for typing!
The walking/climbing really gets my legs strong and it helped me stand at the standing desk, which, while still not good for you is at least better than sitting. I can do it for hours (with some padded sandals) when it used to hurt standing only one hour at a time. The exercise also helps with your mood and stamina.
The worst part? It can get addictive to exercise because you keep feeling so good while pushing your body past its former limits. I think it's a natural high you get from exerting yourself sufficiently (within reason, not to the point of severely straining/tearing muscle.) Pain *is* gain, but you get the mood-boosting "reward" chemicals by moving past it to a degree that you start to recognize.
In short: exercise is good for everyone, even in small doses. You don't have to do something amazing or pay for a membership anywhere, just seek out ways of working out that work for where you live, your budget and your own abilities/interests. So long as you've worked up a sweat, whatever you did, it's good exercise for you.