Impact of eSports semiprofessional practice on the trunk stabilizer muscle complex. A cross-sectional study

Abstract

[Abstract] Introduction ESports have emerged in the sporting paradigm achieving a great deal of importance both in terms of audience and economics. Professional players have to improve their performance through training, which leads to an increase in the risk of injuries derived from long periods of time spent a sitting position, sedentarism and repetitive movements. The most prevalent injury is low back pain (LBP), probably due to the professionals’ lifestyles, similar to the day-to-day activity of office workers but acquired at a younger age.

Objective The aim of this study was to assess the morphology of the trunk stabilizing muscles in semiprofessional eSport players in comparison with healthy subjects, using ultrasonography.

Methods A total of 20 participants were recruited (10 players from a semiprofessional eSports team and 10 age-matched healthy controls). Ultrasound measurements of the thickness of the transversus abdomini (TrAb), internal oblique (IO), external oblique (EO), rectus abdomini (RA) and lumbar multifidus (LMult) muscles, and interrecti distance (IRD) were recorded.

Results Statistically significant differences were found with decreased thickness in the eSports group bilaterally in TrAb (p < 0.01) and IO (p < 0.05), right EO (p < 0.05) and right RA (p < 0.01); and decreased IRD (p < 0.01).

Conclusions Statistically significant differences were found between young semiprofessional eSports players and healthy adults in this study, with morphologic characteristics similar to those found in older adults with chronic LBP.