A $500,000 career, gone at 25: esports’ injury crisis is forcing teams to build sports-medicine staffs
A study found 37% of competitive gamers report anxiety and depression, and repetitive-motion injuries have sidelined stars. Maybe piano training will help.
Jian "Uzi" Zi-hao, a highly talented "League of Legends" player, earned over $500,000 during his career but retired at just 25 years old due to chronic wrist and arm injuries. Esports players often face intense schedules, mental strain, and physical discomfort. A 2021 study found that 37% of Portuguese esports players experienced anxiety and depression, while 45% suffered from sleep disturbances.
Musculoskeletal injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and gamer's thumb are common, stemming from repetitive movements. Prolonged sitting can lead to lower back and spine issues, while deep vein thrombosis is a lesser-known but potentially fatal injury. Top esports teams now have medical staff to prevent and treat injuries, but finding alternative injury treatment methods could benefit esports competitors significantly.
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