Research reveals high prevalence of video game playing among college students
In an ambitious collaboration, Bergische Health Insurance and the Chair of Sports Medicine at Bergische University Wuppertal have launched a joint research project aimed at promoting long-term health in the gaming community and raising awareness for healthy gaming practices.
The project, which has been ongoing for two years, is designed to be accepted by gamers and strengthen their health. Markus Soffner, who oversees the project at Bergische University, emphasises the importance of the collected data for developing practical and scientifically grounded solutions for gamers' health.
Initial findings from the study, which focuses on video game-playing students, reveal that gaming plays an increasingly important role in society. However, the research also indicates that gaming may lead to physical strains. Jan Römer, health advisor at BERGISCHE, expresses satisfaction with the initial findings, stating that they provide a better understanding of health challenges in gaming.
The sub-study conducted among students shows that 70.7% of surveyed students are video game players, with 36.0% playing regularly (multiple times a week). Interestingly, video game-playing students have longer sitting and higher screen times compared to non-gamers, but they do not show a higher prevalence of pain. However, 76.6% of video game-playing students report experiencing pain, particularly in the head, neck, and lower back. Moreover, 16.7% of these students have been experiencing pain for more than five years.
The study project, which lasts for three years, will collect additional objective health parameters from participants, such as posture, cardiovascular, and stress parameters, to provide a comprehensive understanding of the health impacts of gaming on students.
The aim of the joint research project is to develop a scientifically grounded, health-promoting training program for gamers. For detailed and precise results from this specific project, we recommend looking for official publications or press releases from Bergische University Wuppertal, Solingen health authorities, or Bergische Health Insurance directly.
- The joint research project between Bergische Health Insurance and the Chair of Sports Medicine at Bergische University Wuppertal, aimed at promoting long-term health in the gaming community, is also investigating the role of technology in this context, particularly gadgets like gaming equipment that may influence health and wellness.
- As part of the project, Markus Soffner is emphasizing the need for practical solutions derived from scientific data, not just focusing on fitness-and-exercise but also integrating the impact of science and technology on individual health.
- The initial findings suggest that while regular gaming might lead to increased screen time and sedentary behavior, it doesn't necessarily result in a higher prevalence of pain for the students surveyed. However, they do report experiencing pain, predominantly in the head, neck, and lower back, highlighting the need for specific fitness-and-exercise and health-and-wellness interventions targeting these areas.
