Esport Players Exhibit Less Muscle And Bone Mineral Content With Higher Body Fat Than Controls

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate activity levels, body composition, and bone mineral content in collegiate eSports players as compared to age-matched controls. METHODS: Twenty-four male collegiate eSport players and non-eSport players between 18-25 years of age underwent body composition and bone mineral content testing using a GE DXA absorptiometry scan. Daily activity (step count) and sleep duration were measured for two weeks using a Fitbit Charge™ and a questionnaire assessing their physical activities and computer usage was administered. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated on all subjects. RESULTS: The step count in the eSports players was significantly lower than the age matched controls (p=.0004; 6040.2 ± 3028.6 to 12843.8 ± 5661.1). ESport players exhibited greater body fat percentage (p=.05), less lean body mass (p=.003) and less bone mineral content (p=.03), despite no difference in BMI between the eSport and non-eSport players. CONCLUSION: As compared to non-eSport players, collegiate eSport team players were significantly less active and had a higher body fat percentage with lower lean body mass and bone mineral content. BMI is a common marker of health and obesity, yet this index showed no difference between the two groups. Considering the eSport athletes displayed significantly worse numbers, which are all correlated with potential health issues, use of the BMI is not capturing this difference and should not be considered an accurate measure of health in competitive eSport players.