How To Get Your Game On

Sitting in a chair, completely focused on a screen, using your hands for hours on end, day after day, doesn’t sound comfy at all. But this is exactly what esports athletes and gamers do.

In 2023, online gaming engaged approximately 40% of the global population. Esports or online gaming are not exactly the same – although both continue to expand as more new players jump into the digital pool. According to one source, esports athletes are professional or aspiring professionals, while online gamers simply are playing for the fun of it. Another significant difference is that esports matches are performed live with millions of viewers, while gaming is a friends-family activity.

Professional esports athletes set their sights on competing in the top global tournaments, such as The Dota 2 “The International,” Fortnite World Cup Champion, EVO Championship Series, Honor of Kings World Champion Cup, and more. Esports has reached such a level of respectability that one can attain an online Bachelor of Science degree in Esports Management, Production and Performance.

Gamer Challenges and Solutions

Gamers and esports athletes have specific health concerns emanating from their constant, repetitive playing and practice.

Joint & Muscle Health

According to Esports.net, “The average pro gamer practices for a minimum of 50 hours per week. This means that their body will be forced to undergo a lot of repetitive activity that could cause stress, pain or even injury.”

One 2019 study surveyed 65 college esport players in North America, finding esports players overuse their writs and hands as gaming necessitates rapid thinking and reactions. The authors pointed out, “Whereas novice players average approximately 50 action moves per minute, higher level athletes make 10 moves per second or 500-600 action moves per minute.”

No surprise that a significant number of esports athletes and gamers develop Quervain’s tenosynovitis, or what is colloquially called “gamer’s thumb,” a condition where the tendons that mobilize the thumb becomes inflamed. And according to a Harvard Health article, gamers are also vulnerable to developing “trigger finger” or Stenosis tenosynovitis, a condition where constant acute inflammation prevents the finger from straightening (remaining bent). And if that isn’t enough, tennis elbow can also assail a dedicated gamer (this is when inflammation attacks the tendon outside of the elbow).

Inflammation occurs from intensely repetitive movements and poor posture. According to the Cleveland Clinic, poor posture, often a result of gaming, forces the muscles in the neck and back to become overworked; this signals the immune system to step up efforts to heal the muscles and this can cause inflammation in the joints.

Solution: TurmXTRA® - Just one 250 mg dose of TurmXTRA® is equivalent to 1575 mg standard turmeric extract and is as effective at 1/10th the dose. Turmeric is one of the top herbs that are known to manage inflammation, providing relief to overexerted joints and muscles.  

Quality Sleep

The previously mentioned study also found that the number one health complaint from gaming was fatigue. Not surprising as excessive gaming locks the eyes onto a flat blue-light-emitting screen, which can throw off the circadian rhythm. The explanation is simple, according to an article by the developers of Blue Light Defenders who are passionate gamers, melatonin release is delayed in the pineal gland because the “blue light exposure from screens in the evening can trick your brain into thinking it’s still daytime.”

Solution:  Melotime™ – Excessive exposure to blue light, emanating from screens, is known to not only cause eye stress but also to interrupt the healthy circadian rhythm, which creates broken sleep (tossing and turning, waking up several times throughout the night). Melotime’s unique release profile – a steady release throughout 8 hours, restores natural, healthy sleep patterns.

Stress Management

Stress impacts performance, of all kinds. But stress can impact gaming – and gaming can cause or exacerbate stress. Many studies find that gaming can reduce stress, and this is mostly true for those who play for fun, like engaging in any hobby or pastime. The opposite end of the spectrum is competitive gaming, and competition is stressful.

Solution:  Prolanza™ – Stress from life situations and worrying excessively (which can occur in everyone), will impact the agility of reaction, concentration, problem-solving, short-term memory and acuity. Long-term stress support through adaptogenic supplementation will reduce the physiological effects of stress, allowing for improvements in mental abilities necessary to be and remain competitive. Just 300 mg Prolanza™ - a long-acting adaptogen crafted from Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root – promotes better memory recall and accuracy of memory recall, as well as improved sleep under stressed conditions.

Energy Support

Energy is critical to successful esports competition and enduring gaming sessions for fun. Unfortunately, many gamers have learned to turn to unhealthy energy drinks that contain stimulant ingredients; some are known to contain 200 mg caffeine. While caffeine is a known nervous system stimulant, there are safe caffeine ingredients that are effective in generating the energy gamers require.

Solution:  CaffXtend® - Caffeine is the first ingredient many turn to for energy. CaffXtend® is 100% natural caffeine delivered in an all-natural matrix, providing a full 12 hours of sustained, manageable energy and focus – without the jitters or caffeine crash, that would cause the gamer to drink another energy beverage or shot. CaffXtend® promotes calm focus and alertness, reduced mental fatigue and even positive mood.

Immune Support

Gamers both amateur and professional may be more vulnerable to catching the latest bug going around due simply to sustained high stress. Consistent high stress from competitive gaming along with physiological stress induced by sitting for hours and excessive repetitive motion of elbow, hand and finger joints all conspire to reduce immune system effectiveness. One review of 11 studies validated the link between gaming and stress. The authors also noted that stress-induced release of glucocorticoids contributes to inflammation that suppresses immune function.

Solution: Vitamin C is the best-known “immune vitamin,” and gamers can enjoy all-day immune protection with the once-daily C-Fence. Who wouldn’t appreciate this superpower? In one study, once daily 500mg dose of C-Fence, Vitamin C plasma levels were significantly higher and stayed well above baseline for up to 24 hours after supplementation.

TurmXTRA®, Melotime™, Prolanza™, CaffXtend®  and C-Fence all fit well into any gamer’s lifestyle – just one low-dose per day lasts all day (or night in Melotime’s case). Less time to stop and take a supplement allows for uninterrupted gaming. With clinically backed ingredients and high-tech delivery systems, these supplements can help gamers beat the adds.