A study by the University of Chichester examined the stress levels of eSports professionals. It revealed that these professional athletes are on par with others.
What is the result of the study? The study looked at 51 different stress factors among professional eSports players during a major event. Among these were factors such as communication issues and performances in front of an audience.
It turned out that the stress levels of the eSports players are as significant as those of professional athletes in football or rugby. Players who competed in a tournament in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive were tested.
What is the biggest stress factor in eSports? According to the study, poor communication is one of the biggest stress factors. In difficult situations, players may react with excessive aggression or withdraw from communication. Both result in negative consequences regarding performance.
This will likely be one of the reasons why the LoL team G2 Esport was so successful at the Worlds. Even in tough moments, the players still joked around and likely relieved some stress.
Results of the study should help eSports
What will change because of the study? The authors of the study aim to draw attention to the need to consider psychological health in eSports. Co-author Dr. Phil Birch states:
eSports has become a multimillion-dollar business that fascinates audiences worldwide, but there is little research on the psychological factors that influence gameplay.
Rams Singh, himself a successful Quake 3 player and now coach of the university’s eSports department, also finds the results important:
This study is important for the industry. We need to understand how to best support the health of our players and keep them at the highest level – just like any other professional athlete.
Discussions about eSports and sports: For years, there has been a debate about whether eSports is “real sports” or not. We also asked you. The study confirms that eSports professionals face the same stress levels but does not address other physical attributes.
For this reason, Timo Schöber spoke as a guest author about what needs to happen for eSports to be recognized as real sports.
