Professional gaming is brutal on the body – inside the growing field of treating esports injuries

Professional esports players often face severe physical injuries that can force early retirement.

For example, Chinese League of Legends player Jian 'Uzi' Zi-hao earned over $500,000 in prize money but retired at age 25 due to chronic wrist and arm injuries.

His career was cut short by conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis, which are common in repetitive motion activities.

These injuries highlight the physical toll of professional gaming, where players endure long training sessions and high-pressure competitions.

The mental strain is also significant, with studies showing that 37% of Portuguese esports players experience anxiety and depression, while 45% report sleep disturbances due to prolonged screen time and disrupted melatonin production.