A Cross-sectional Study On The Musculoskeletal Injury Among The Chinese High-level E-sports Athletes

[Objectives]To Investigate the prevalence of occupational musculoskeletal injury(OMSI) among the Chinese high-level e-sports athletes and to evaluate the associated risk factors.[Methods]In a cross-sectional study of the total 167 e-sports athletes participating in the 2007 annual ESWC(The Electronic Sports World Cup) finals and the GOC(Game of China) finals,demographics,constitution status,symptom reporting and other work exposure characteristics of them were measured using a modified Nordic Questionnaire,including information on perceived pain in the neck,shoulder,elbow,wrist,hand and low back scored for each region on a FPS-R..All of the data was analyzed through T-test,Chi-square test and Logistic regression analyses.[Results](1)59.3 of athletes reported musculoskeletal pain/discomfort in the previous year,with the highest prevalence rate was found for the neck(32.3%) and the low back(22.8%).The prevalence rate of shoulder is 21.0%,wrist is 16.2%,finger is 14.4%and elbow is 6.0%.(2) 47.5%of patients with only one location disorder and 52.5%of patients with two or more sites disorder.The pain degree of the most athletes was mild to moderate,only 4 cases severe pain was reported.(3) By analyzing the effects of demographics,constitution status,symptom reporting and other work exposure characteristics on neck,we found that the training period≥5 years(OR＝2.717);the prevalence rate of overlooking the screen in training time was higher than the other groups,the horizontal line of sight was the protective factors(OR＝0.268);a adjustable chair was the protection factor(OR＝0.418);sitting uprightly was the protective factors(OR＝0.211);immediate strategic projects was a higher risk factor(OR＝3.417).(4) After analyzing the effects of demographics, constitution status,symptom reporting and other work exposure characteristics on low back,we found that,by comparing different age groups,the risk of above 23-year-old age group was small(OR＝0.202); sitting on back was the risk factors for low back pain(OR＝4.604);a fixed rest and exercise habits to was a protective factor for prevent low back pain(OR 0.384,0.411 respectively).(5) Constitution of the electronic Athletes was found not associated with the OMSI.[Conclusion]Intense use of computer has been found to cause musculoskeletal disorders of the neck,low back,shoulder,wrist,fingers, elbow among the Chinese high-level e-sports athletes;long training period,overlooking the screen was the main risk factors when training, the horizontal line of sight,adjustable seat,sitting upright,a fixed rest and exercise habits was the main risk factors.