Axie Strainfinity: An assessment of musculoskeletal and visual health of Axie Infinity

players from University of the East – Caloocan

Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION

This chapter of the paper presents the problem and its setting. It includes the background

of the study, statement of the problem, significance of the study, hypothesis, and the scope and

delimitation of the study.

Introduction

An excellent choice for earning additional income, Axie Infinity has risen in popularity

among several countries. With its sudden fame comes a list of problems within its community,

including volatile market prices, its impact on the players' personal lives, and the game's

technical bugs. But one aspect seems to be left behind—its effect on the physical health of the

players.

This study focuses on the impacts of Axie Infinity on the physical health of the players,

specifically, problems related to body pains and eye strains, which are among the most common

issues experienced by gamers.

Background of the Study

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic's emergence, some Filipinos resorted to Axie Infinity,

a play-to-earn game, as an additional source of income. 40.53% of about 10 million Axie Infinity

players are Filipinos, primarily scholars, of the said game. Axie Infinity, being a video game, is

seen by the researchers to be a possible cause of physical strain to its players, particularly with

their musculoskeletal and visual health. Several existing studies indicate its possibility, including
Axie Strainfinity: An assessment of musculoskeletal and visual health of Axie Infinity
players from University of the East – Caloocan
the study of Phuah Rong Yao et al. (2021), who stated that mobile video gamers tend to experience

different kinds of musculoskeletal pain, including lower back pain. Meanwhile, the American

Optometric Association stated that frequent and extended use of digital devices could lead to

Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS), characterized by eye strain, dry eyes, and pain in the neck and

shoulders.

With the current state of research in this area, the researchers believe that more empirical

data are needed as there are gaps in knowledge identified. One of which is that none of any research

related to this area has specified a particular video game being played. Games differ in mechanics

and style. As emphasized by Misawa et al., Mylona et al. (2020) stated, eye movements while

playing video games were more rapid than doing conventional tasks. However, no information

was provided about what classifies traditional schemes and what type of video game is being

played.

Moreover, several researchers [ Shan et al. (2013), Quieroz et al. (2018), and Phuah Rong

Yao et al. (2021)] agreed that musculoskeletal health issues are often seen with those who use

mobile devices such as tablets, laptops, and smartphones, with the portability of the devices being

seen as the cause for experienced pain, as it provides the convenience of usability while in

awkward positions. However, the device user's activity (i.e., gaming, typing, watching) was not

established and lacked description.

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to define the relationship between Axie Infinity players' gaming

characteristics and the physical strains of musculoskeletal pain and visual health problems they

experience while playing the game.

Axie Strainfinity: An assessment of musculoskeletal and visual health of Axie Infinity
players from University of the East – Caloocan
The general questions are:

1. What are the physical health problems experienced by Axie Infinity players of UE

Caloocan and;

2. What is their relationship with each other?

The specific questions are:

1. What are the effects of Axie Infinity on UE Caloocan student-players' musculoskeletal

health?

2. Does playing Axie Infinity induce negative effects to UE Caloocan student-players' vision?

3. Is there a relationship between hours played per day, gaming position, duration of being an

Axie Infinity player, and;

3.1 Musculoskeletal health problems?

3.2 Visual health problems?

among Axie Infinity players of UE Caloocan?

Hypotheses

1. H0 Hours spent playing Axie Infinity per day does not affect the musculoskeletal and

visual health of UE Caloocan student-players.

H1 Hours spent playing Axie Infinity per day affect the musculoskeletal and visual health

of UE Caloocan student-players.

2. H0 The gaming position of UE Caloocan student-players does not affect their

musculoskeletal and visual health.

H1 The gaming position of UE Caloocan student-players affect their musculoskeletal and

visual health.
Axie Strainfinity: An assessment of musculoskeletal and visual health of Axie Infinity
players from University of the East – Caloocan
3. H0 The duration of being an Axie Infinity player does not affect the musculoskeletal and

visual health of UE Caloocan student-players.

H1 The duration of being an Axie Infinity player affect the musculoskeletal and visual

health of UE Caloocan student-players.

Scope and Limitation

The study is focused on the effects of Axie Infinity on the Musculoskeletal and Visual

Health of Axie Infinity players in The University of the East - Caloocan Campus. The

participants will be Axie Infinity players with no existing medical conditions from The

University of the East - Caloocan Campus. The methods we will be applying for data collection

will be Analysis of Variance and Multiple Linear Regression Technique to ensure the accuracy

and reliability within the comparison of multiple independent variables.

The unknown population of Axie Infinity players in the University of the East – Caloocan

is a known limitation. Because of that, only convenience sampling can be implemented, which

may affect the researchers’ ability to generalize this study’s conclusion. Another limiting factor

is that the survey is a self-administered questionnaire, and the participants' responses could be

biased and inaccurate. Lastly, there are other possible causes of musculoskeletal pain and visual

health problems that a student experiences, such as prolonged sitting and extended screen

exposure in virtual classes. The results of this study might differ may it be conducted in another

time frame.
Axie Strainfinity: An assessment of musculoskeletal and visual health of Axie Infinity
players from University of the East – Caloocan

Significance of the Study

Axie Infinity Community as the researchers would provide important information about

the possible causes of uncomfortability while playing the game. The study would also provide

oversights on those still planning to join the game.

Epidemiological Researchers as this study would provide further evidence

(frequency/patterns, the relationship of causes to risk factors, etc.) regarding the occurrence of

musculoskeletal pain and visual health problems on participants. Moreover, this study could be a

stepping stone into the development of new therapies and would contribute significantly to the;

Healthcare Sector as this would allow healthcare workers in identification of health

problems, especially conditions relating to the musculoskeletal system and vision.

Game Developers as this study could give them more information about the habits of

gamers that might affect their health. Moreover, that information could be used to develop new

game styles focused on player comfortability.

University as this study can provide information on the development of new policies and

guidelines that will focus on the betterment of the health conditions of its;

Students. Additionally, UE Caloocan students, specifically Axie Infinity players, would

gain credible information that would help them alleviate existing or impending health conditions

that would drastically affect their academic life.

Resources
Axie Strainfinity: An assessment of musculoskeletal and visual health of Axie Infinity
players from University of the East – Caloocan
[1] American Optometric Association. (n.d.). Computer vision syndrome (Digital eye strain).

https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-and-vision-conditions/computer-vision-

syndrome?sso=y#:%7E:text=Computer%20vision%20syndrome%2C%20also%20referre

d,digital%20screens%20for%20extended%20periods.

[2] Mylona, I., Deres, E., Dere, G. D., Tsinopoulos, I., & Glynatsis, M. (2020). The Impact of

Internet and Videogaming Addiction on Adolescent Vision: A Review of the Literature.

Front Public Health, 8(63). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.00063

[3] Phuah Rong Yao, J., Sundar, V., & Ramalingam, V. (2021). Predictors of Mobile Video

Gaming on Musculoskeletal Pain among University Students in Selangor, Malaysia.

Revista Pesquisa Em Fisioterapia, 11(3), 518–527. https://doi.org/10.17267/2238-

2704rpf.v11i3.3916

[4] Player Counter. (2021, August 11). Axie Infinity Live Player Count.

https://playercounter.com/axie-infinity/

[5] Queiroz, L. B., Lourenço, B., Silva, L. E. V., Lourenço, D. M. R., & Silva, C. A. (2018).

Musculoskeletal pain and musculoskeletal syndromes in adolescents are related to

electronic devices. Jornal de Pediatria, 94(6), 673–679.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jped.2017.09.006

[6] Servando, K., Sayson, I., & B. (2021, August 26). The jobless turn to crypto video game for

financial relief. Fortune. https://fortune.com/2021/08/25/crypto-video-game-axie-infinity-

crypto-traders-unemployed/

[7] Shan, Z., Deng, G., Li, J., Li, Y., Zhang, Y., & Zhao, Q. (2013). Correlational Analysis of

neck/shoulder Pain and Low Back Pain with the Use of Digital Products, Physical
Axie Strainfinity: An assessment of musculoskeletal and visual health of Axie Infinity
players from University of the East – Caloocan
Activity and Psychological Status among Adolescents in Shanghai. PLoS ONE, 8(10),

e78109. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0078109