Do e-athletes move? A study on physical activity level and body composition in elite e-sports

Abstract

Background and Study Aim. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of e-sports on physical activity level and body composition. Material and Methods.  The athletes who participated in the study were 19.92± 2.21 years of age, 1.73±0.04 m body height and 78.35±6.52 kg body weight. A total of 137 athletes participated in the study, including 27 from Turkey, 47 from South Korea and 63 from the United States (USA). The data was collected by e-mail from the sports clubs. The athletes who representing their country in international competitions involved in the study. The data obtained were evaluated in the SPSS program. Results.  According to the findings of the study, the body mass index (BMI) of e-sport athletes is 26.03±1.85, the number of physical activity steps is 6646±3400 and the daily e-sport hours are 9.34±1.12. The BMI was determined as USA 26.12, South Korea 26.02 and Turkey 25.84 respectively. The number of physical activity steps was identified as 5255 steps in the US, 7785 steps in South Korea and 7909 steps in Turkey. The daily e-sports hour is set at US 9.63 hours, Turkey 9.29 hours and South Korea 8.97 hours. In comparison of country-based athletes, there was a significant difference between physical activity level and daily e-sports hours at p<0.05. The value of BMI is not different. Although it is not statistically related to the physical activity level and BMI. There was no statistically significant relationship between daily e-sports hours and BMI and physical activity step counts. However, as the time of e-sports increases, BMI increases and the number of physical activity steps decreases. Conclusions.  As a result it is seen in the findings of the research that athletes dealing with e-sports are included in the fat group as a body composition and their daily physical activity steps are low. In addition, according to the results of the research, e-sports are thought to have negative effects on physical health. Thanks to the physical activity programs to be applied to these athletes, it is thought that their body composition and physical activity levels can be improved.