Gamer Neck, An alarming picture shows the major health risks

An alarming picture shows the major health risks, such as eye strain, stiff wrists, and "gamer neck," that gamers who spend even three hours a day crouched over their consoles face.

• According to experts, even three hours of gaming each day can have a negative impact on your health. 
• READ MORE: A model shows what gamers might look like in 20 years

Image source: dailymail.co.uk

For many die-hard gamers, the thought of spending three hours bent over a gaming console could seem like a dream.

However, a recent study might persuade you to give up using the PlayStation.

While playing games for extended periods of time may be enjoyable, University of Queensland researchers have cautioned that doing so can have negative health effects.

Just three hours of play a day, according to specialists, can do serious harm to your body, including "PlayStation neck" and eye strain.

According to Janni Leung, the study's principal author, "the popularity of streaming game play for hours on end is contributing to the rise of unnecessary physical strain and pain."

With 51.21 million gamers, the UK is one of the largest markets in the globe.

But up until now, not much research has been done on the harmful physical effects of playing video games for long periods of time.

The group set out to address this in their most recent study.

In their study, which was published in Computers in Human Behaviour, the team stated that "a better understanding of the relationship between extended hours of playing and physical symptoms is essential for identifying optimal levels of gaming and promoting healthy gaming habits to minimise and prevent the development of physical health problems."
955 players between the ages of 18 and 94 were the subjects of surveys.

The participants were asked questions on their level of internet gaming disorder, how often they played video games, and whether they planned to become professional gamers.

Inquiries were also made regarding any physical issues they might have had as a result of gaming.

According to the findings, there was a higher likelihood of unfavourable bodily symptoms in those who played video games for three hours or longer in a single session.

These included headaches and weariness, as well as eye strain (46.1%), hand discomfort or stiff wrists (45.4%), back pain or stiff neck (52.1%), and other symptoms.

It's interesting to note that the effects of playing video games for longer than three hours per session were comparable to those of playing for longer than six hours.

The researchers stated, "This may indicate that the threshold for unfavourable physical outcomes may be sufficiently reached at three hours or more of continuous play."

Individuals with high internet gaming disorder scores were four times more likely to report physical health issues.
Gender disparities were not identified, despite the fact that gamers are frequently depicted as young guys.

"While older individuals demonstrated higher risks of wrist or hand pain, the association between playing for extended periods of time and physical issues or pain applied to both younger and older individuals," the study stated.

"Compared to individuals between the ages of 18 and 25, there was a trend towards older age groups reporting more specific physical symptoms, which could potentially be explained by an increase in general physical symptoms with age."

The researchers are advising players to take regular breaks during their gaming marathons in light of the findings.

 
"To prevent the development of chronic health problems, gamers should utilise the "stop" button and take regular breaks," Ms. Leung said in her conclusion.

The investigation was conducted soon after a horrific model of potential 20-year-old gamer appearance was constructed by researchers.

Due to his addiction to video games, "Michael," the future video game player, has bloodshot eyes, a stooped back, a dented cranium, and scorched hands.

A representative for OnlineCasino.ca, the Canadian website that conducted the study, stated, "From sleep deprivation and dehydration, to lack of vitamin D, digital eye strain, and "PlayStation thumb," these are just some of the physical implications of spending hours online, in a gaming chair, away from sunlight and physical activity."

 

WHAT IS THE 'WHO'S' CLASSIFICATION OF INTERNET GAMING AS A MENTAL HEALTH DISORDER?

Online video game playing is now recognised by the World Health Organisation as a mental health condition.

The term "gaming disorder" refers to a pattern of behaviour that involves excessive gaming, a lack of control over gaming, prioritising gaming over other activities to the point where it trumps other interests and daily activities, and continuing or increasing gaming even in the face of negative outcomes.

In order for someone to be diagnosed with gaming condition, they need to:

1. Significant impairment in one's ability to operate in crucial domains such as personal, family, social, educational, or occupational
2. Have had this disability for a minimum of a year

WHO cautions players to monitor how much time they spend playing, particularly if it takes up time away from other everyday activities.