DIFFERENTIATING PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF MIDTERM BREAK IN A PROLONGED ONLINE GAME PLAYING

Abstract

With the development of widespread Internet access, online game playing has become a popular event. As a result, more attention is being paid to the potentially negative physical and psychological effects on prolonged computer worker or online game player. To date, related physical problems that have been identified include fatigue, physical pain, insomnia, epileptic seizures, and even sudden death. Therefore, midterm break may be necessary for an online game player. This study tries to differentiate the physiological effects of two groups, with and without a midterm break, during a prolonged online game playing. Our experimental results showed that sympathetic system is overwhelming the parasympathetic nervous system significantly in group B without break, while it remains unchanged in group A. Due to the fight or flight response of the sympathetic system, participants with midterm break wanted to play more after event. Participants without break did not feel stressed after a continuous two hours' online game playing. These interesting findings may need further investigation in the future.