MODULE 5:ATHLETE HEALTH (DANIEL)

INTRODUCTION: : Video games are now a new culture among the younger generation,
even electronic sports games (e-Sports) in Malaysia are now a phenomenon so much so that
they are willing to spend hours in front of the screen. . Although e-sports is a career that
seems fun to most people, but the lifestyle that athletes in the field have to go through is at a
worrying level, reported ESports Insider. Here are the 3 sub-headings that will be presented in
this video, which are issues related to the health problems of e-sports athletes, types of risks
of health problems among e-sports athletes and recommendations to ensure the athlete’s
health is always at an optimal level.

1. ISSUES RELATED TO HEALTH PROBLEMS OF E-SPORTS ATHLETES.

(CAYROL)

 According to the founder of Esports MedicA, Dr. Zatul-'Iffah Abu Hasan, the e-
Sports community needs to be educated about the health problems they may face
as a result of playing video games without control.
 Several professional players have had to announce early retirement from
competitive tournaments due to health problems following an irregular lifestyle.
 League of Legends player Jian 'Uzi' Zi-Hao retired due to chronic hand and
shoulder injuries and was diagnosed with diabetes.

(KHOR)

 Another Overwatch player, Xzi was also forced to withdraw from this year's
Overwatch League tournament due to neck and shoulder health issues.
 Ophthalmologist of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of
Islamic Sciences Malaysia and also Esports MedicA Medical Advisor, Dr.
Maimunah Abdul Muna'aim said, uncontrolled video games can cause serious
injuries, especially to the eyes.
 2. TYPES OF RISKS OF HEALTH PROBLEMS AMONG E-SPORTS
ATHLETES (SHATVIIKA)
 Sight Problem

Digital screen devices such as computers and smart phones are a source of blue-violet light
that will cause fatigue and tiredness in the individual's eyes and it will also cause the eyes to
dry out faster in addition to interfering with vision.

 ‘Gaming Disorder’

Mental Health Consultant at the Peaceful Soul Psychologist Center, Aiman Amri said the
World Health Organization (WHO) takes seriously the issue called 'Gaming Disorder' which
is seen in other addiction categories and is considered to have a big impact on a person's life,
especially children - child The disease of addiction to video games is seen as they will
interact less with the outside world and consider life in the virtual world to be much more
comfortable than the real world.

 Physical Problems (AYIN)

E-Sports athletes can face repetitive motion injuries such as Carpel Tunnel Syndrome and
Stenosis Tenosynovitis. These injuries usually occur in the waist, spine and hips of
individuals because they have been sitting for a long period of time and cause injuries to the
muscles and bones of those parts due to lack of body movement.

3.RECOMMENDATIONS TO ENSURE THE ATHLETE’S HEALTH IS ALWAYS AT

AN OPTIMAL LEVEL (DANIEL)

• Learn to control your emotions and stress.

• Take enough rest to practice optimal health.

• Practice a healthy diet and exercise at least three times a week and scheduled game sessions
and appropriate exercises.
• Practicing the 20-20-20 rule where athletes have to stop using electronic screen devices
every 20 minutes by looking at something more than 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This will
help the athlete's eyes adjust and not stay glued to the screen.

• Dr Zul Azlin said athletes also need to be patient in following the process of personal
performance development and not push themselves too much by trying to take drugs as a
stimulus or energy booster to undergo overtime training.

• Dr Zul Azlin also recommends athletes not to be ashamed to consult psychiatrists and
psychologists if faced with extreme pressure.