Effects On Hand Grip Strength: An Evaluation For Fifa E-sport Players

Abstract

PURPOSE: This research project found the effects at the neuromuscular level in the forearm of training session usage of video games through measuring of hand grip strength in players of the FIFA19 video game. METHODS: The present study had a universe of 25 men aged 25±5 years, body mass 67.6±9.9 kg and body height of 172.4 ± 6.72 cm, who practiced the FIFA video game for more than 3 days per week and three hours training sessions. Participants were asked for a 24-hour rest period in which they should not have done any physical activity, nor used their video game consoles. An initial measurement of hand grip strength was made using a portable dynamometer Baseline (±1) with a capacity of 90 kg of hand grip, and a competition system that was randomly designed in the FIFA19 all-in-all game, for a consecutive 30-minute practice per player. Finally, new measurements of hand grip strength were found to verify that the strength in the forearm changed. RESULTS: An average decrease of 10 kg of force in the right hand and 6 kg in the left hand were found. The statistical test of Shapiro-Wilk was applied in order to conclude whether the sample had a normal distribution; finding that the data followed a non-parametric behavior, based on this result a Mann Whitney U test was used with a confidence interval of 92% confirming that the change of strength in the right arm had a substantial change effect with a ρ=0.061 and the left arm presented a non-significant variation ρ=0.122. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged exposure to video games with the use of joysticks represented a risk at the neuromuscular level in the forearm due to the continued position that each player usually maintained. Additionally, the loss of strength could lead to generate injuries such as tendonitis, carpal tunnel, epicondylitis and other musculoskeletal disorders or Trigger-finger due to the fatigue presented. Therefore, it is essential to develop strategies that improve the response level in the resistance and strength of the forearm in people who practice E-Sports both in professional or amateur mode.