Esports, or organized competitive video gaming (Jenny et al., 2017), have proven to be a global phenomenon that attracts millions of players and audiences. The esports industry is massive, with professional tournaments offering multi-million-dollar prize pools and streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube enabling influencers and talented gamers a full-time income (Ahn et al., 2020). However, the rapid rise in esports has also brought attention to the effects of gaming on health, particularly sleep. Both traditional sport athletes and esports players of all levels often have problems with sleep-related issues due to factors such as screen times, irregular schedules, high stimulation, and poor sleep hygiene.

One of the most important contributors to sleep disorders in esports is that excessive screen time, especially late at night, can suppress the body’s production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle (Bonnar et al., 2019). As a result, players may find it difficult to relax and fall asleep. Lack of sleep, shorter sleep duration, and poorer sleep quality are associated with people who play video games for longer periods (Bonnar et al., 2019). Many esports tournaments engage international audiences and may take place in different time zones. This forces online players to be awake at odd hours, disrupting their circadian rhythm. This irregular schedule can make it difficult for the body to establish a consistent sleep routine that ultimately affects mental clarity, decision-making, and overall performance (Frost et al., 2024).

During and after intensive gameplay, adrenaline levels can continue to increase, stimulating the body/mind to remain active even after the game is over. This awakening state can be challenging at night, which leads to insomnia or fragmented sleep. Both recreational and professional esports players can increase stress and anxiety through gameplay or online interactions within the gaming community, which can also affect sleep.

Players often consume caffeine or energy drinks to stay vigilant during long sessions, which compounds the problem of regular sleep schedules, as this further increases alertness. Furthermore, many players do not perform regular physical activity, and seating gaming behavior has been associated with poor sleep quality (Akan et al., 2022). Inconsistent sleep, irregular sleep patterns, use of electronics in bed, exposure to blue light from screens near bedtime (blue light from screens interferes with the production of the sleep hormone melatonin), and lack of exposure to natural light can all contribute to poor sleep hygiene (Akan et al., 2022).

Fortunately, some professional esports teams and organizations are taking proactive steps to try and reduce player sleep-related health problems. This includes educating players, facilitating performance coaches and sleep experts to work with esports players, and promoting a balanced daily life for players. Sleep tracking using wearable devices and apps are also used to monitor sleep patterns and help players optimize calmness and recovery.

Promoting good sleep hygiene, recognizing the issues of poor or lack of sleep, and implementing better sleep hygiene practices are essential to maintaining health and performance in the esports world.

The pressure of competition and late-night gaming sessions can negatively affect the sleep quality of both recreational and elite-level gamers. Poor sleep or sleep disorders can affect cognitive performance, emotional regulation, and general health and recovery (Bonnar et al., 2019). Therefore, healthy sleep habits are paramount to maintaining high esports performance and overall well-being.

Note

Marc Lucente is a sophomore communications major from Moon, PA at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (SRU). He is a student in Dr. Seth Jenny’s “Introduction to Esports” course in the Department of Exercise Science at SRU.

References

Ahn, J., Collis, W., & Jenny, S. (2020). The one billion dollar myth: Methods for sizing the massively undervalued esports revenue landscape. International Journal of Esports, 1(1), 1-19. https://www.ijesports.org/article/15/html

Akan, B., Alin, L., Işık, B., & Pelin, A. (2022). The effects of esports on sleep: A systematic literature review. Ovidius University Annals, Series Physical Education & Sport/Science, Movement & Health, 22(2), 95-104.

Bonnar, D., Lee, S., Gradisar, M., & Suh, S. (2019). Risk factors and sleep intervention considerations in Esports: A review and practical guide. Sleep Medicine Research, 10(2), 59-66. https://doi.org/10.17241/smr.2019.00479

Frost, A. (2024, January 16). The rise of esports is leading to a rise in sleep issues: Here’s why. Sleepopolis. https://sleepopolis.com/news/esports-effects-on-sleep

Jenny, S., Manning, R. D., Keiper, M. C., & Olrich, T. W. (2017). Virtual(ly) athletes: Where esports fit within the definition of “sport”. Quest, 69(1), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1080/00336297.2016.1144517

This microblog post was a featured post in #slowchathealth’s #microblogmonth event. You can search for all of the featured esports posts here. Please do follow each of the outstanding contributors on social media and consider writing a microblog post of your own to be shared with the global audience of slowchathealth.com

Pair this post with the following:

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The Line Between Esports and Gaming Addiction by Michelina Ponziani

The Relation Between Esports/Gaming and Increased Sleep Disturbances by Danessa Allison

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The Dangers of Energy Drink Sponsorship in Esports by Christian Durban

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