# Know Your Game: Wellbeing Tests for Gamers

## Introduction

In the high-performance world of **esports**, players are expected to maintain razor-sharp focus, excellent reaction times, emotional control, and long hours of intense play. But this pressure can also result in fatigue, burnout, and even long-term health issues if wellbeing is not monitored effectively.

To support sustainable success and healthy lifestyles, esports organisations, coaches, and individuals now use a wide range of **health and wellbeing assessment tools**. These methods help detect early signs of physical or mental strain, and they provide players with the opportunity to adjust their routines before performance or health suffers.

In this article, we’ll explore:

* **Health monitoring assessments** (like heart rate, BMI, and diet)
* **Psychological wellbeing assessments** (like WEMWBS and lifestyle indicators)
* **The role of health professionals and significant others**
* **Case studies, fun facts, and external links for further reading**

  

## Why Health and Wellbeing Assessment Matters in Esports

Esports players often face:

* Long sedentary hours
* High stress and emotional volatility
* Inconsistent eating/sleeping routines
* Poor posture and physical inactivity

Without assessment and intervention, these factors can lead to:

* Repetitive strain injuries (RSI)
* Anxiety, depression, or emotional burnout
* Poor in-game performance
* Long-term health complications

**Did you know?**
Over 40% of professional esports players report **mental health concerns**, while over 60% experience **physical strain** from poor ergonomics or inactivity ([British Esports](https://britishesports.org)).

  

## Health Monitoring Assessments

### 1. **Blood Pressure Monitoring**

**What it measures**:
The pressure of circulating blood against artery walls. It’s recorded as two numbers: systolic (high) and diastolic (low).

**Why it’s important**:

* High blood pressure (hypertension) is often stress-related and worsened by poor diet, caffeine, and inactivity.
* Sudden spikes during gameplay may signal a need to manage emotional regulation.

**Esports Relevance**:

* Tracking blood pressure before and after tournaments can indicate how well a player is managing pressure and recovery.

**Example**:
Professional players use **wearable smartwatches** to monitor their cardiovascular response during intense matches.

  

### 2. **Heart Rate Monitor (Radial or Carotid Pulse)**

**What it measures**:
Beats per minute (BPM), indicating cardiovascular health and stress levels.

**Why it matters**:

* A higher resting heart rate can reflect anxiety or poor fitness.
* Rapid heart rate changes during gameplay may impact reaction speed and focus.

**Types**:

* **Radial pulse**: wrist
* **Carotid pulse**: neck

**Pro tip**:
Resting heart rate should ideally fall between **60–80 BPM** for most adults.

  

### 3. **Hip-to-Waist Ratio**

**What it measures**:
The ratio of the circumference of the waist to that of the hips. A good indicator of **body fat distribution**.

**Why it's useful**:

* Indicates risks of cardiovascular disease or metabolic disorders.
* Helps esports players maintain healthy body composition even during sedentary periods.

**Calculation**:
Waist circumference ÷ Hip circumference

* **Men**: ideal ≤ 0.90
* **Women**: ideal ≤ 0.85

  

### 4. **Body Mass Index (BMI)**

**What it is**:
A general measure of body fat based on height and weight.

**Formula**:
BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height² (m²)

**Categories**:

* Underweight: < 18.5
* Healthy weight: 18.5–24.9
* Overweight: 25–29.9
* Obese: ≥ 30

**Limitations**:

* Doesn’t account for muscle mass or distribution
* Not accurate for all body types or ethnic backgrounds

**Use with caution** — combine with other assessments for a fuller picture.

  

### 5. **Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA)**

**What it measures**:
A more accurate method of assessing **body composition**, including:

* Body fat percentage
* Muscle mass
* Hydration levels

**How it works**:
Small electrical currents pass through the body; resistance is used to estimate fat and lean tissue.

**Relevance in esports**:

* Helps tailor nutrition and fitness plans
* Tracks changes due to fitness routines, diet, or travel

**Fun fact**:
Hydration can affect the accuracy — athletes are usually advised to test in the **morning while fasted** for consistency.

  

### 6. **Health Screening Questionnaire**

Often the **first step** in a health check-up, especially for amateur and grassroots players.

#### Includes questions on:

* **Alcohol Consumption**

* Excessive drinking can harm sleep and increase reaction time.
* **Typical Daily Diet**

* Nutritional balance impacts energy, mood, and concentration.
* **Fluid Consumption**

* Dehydration slows reaction speed and mental clarity.
* **Sleep**

* Less than 6 hours per night leads to fatigue and poor performance.
* **Physical Activity**

* Measures how often the player engages in exercise or movement.

**Pro tip**:
Use tools like the [NHS Eatwell Guide](https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/) to evaluate and improve diet.

  

## Measuring Wellbeing in Esports

Unlike physical health, psychological and emotional wellbeing must be **measured with care and subjectivity**. There are formal tools and informal methods available.

  

### 1. **Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS)**

**What it is**:
A validated questionnaire used to measure **mental wellbeing** in individuals over time.

**Structure**:

* 14 positively-worded statements (e.g., “I’ve been feeling optimistic about the future”)
* Rated on a 5-point scale (None of the time – All of the time)

**Scoring**:
Total score ranges from 14 to 70. Higher scores indicate greater mental wellbeing.

**Why it's useful for esports**:

* Helps identify early signs of burnout, depression, or anxiety
* Allows tracking of wellbeing changes during a season or tournament

**Official site**:
[WEMWBS Information – NHS Health Scotland](https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/med/research/platform/wemwbs/)

  

### 2. **One-to-One Discussions**

These are **interpersonal wellbeing assessments**. They help players explore issues privately and receive tailored support.

#### With Health Professionals

* **Doctors** – monitor physical symptoms like fatigue, weight, or headaches
* **Psychologists** – help with mental resilience, emotional regulation, anxiety
* **Counsellors** – provide space for emotional expression and coping strategies

**Example**:
Top esports teams like *Team Liquid* and *G2 Esports* employ psychologists to conduct **monthly check-ins** with players.

#### With Significant Others

* **Family or Partners** – provide emotional support, spot behavioural changes
* **Tutors or Teachers** – identify shifts in engagement or attitude in students
* **Coaches or Managers** – track performance, motivation, and communication

**Fun fact**:
Some teams use **daily wellbeing check-ins** via chat apps like Slack or Discord to quickly assess emotional status before practice begins.

  

## Lifestyle Indicators of Wellbeing

These are **observable traits and behaviours** that indicate a player’s emotional and physical health over time.

  

| Indicator | What it Shows |
| ------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Consistency of Emotions** | Ability to manage mood; emotional stability during wins and losses |
| **Emotional Resilience** | Ability to recover from setbacks, losses, or negative feedback |
| **Desire to Succeed** | Motivation to train, compete, and grow |
| **Open Communication** | Willingness to share feelings and concerns with team or support network |
| **Social Interactivity** | Engaging with teammates, friends, or online community |
| **Health Status** | Overall vitality, posture, sleep quality, immune strength |
| **Ability to Cope with Change** | Adaptability to game meta, new roles, or team dynamics |
| **Self-Care** | Maintaining hygiene, rest, healthy routines |
| **Workplace Health** | Ergonomic setup, stress management at training facilities or home setup |

**Coaches, managers, or even parents** can use these signs as early warning systems for a player’s wellbeing.

  

## Real-World Example: How Pro Teams Use Assessments

### **Fnatic's High Performance Unit (HPU)**

* Includes psychologists, fitness trainers, and dieticians
* Uses heart rate and cortisol testing to monitor stress during matches
* Regular WEMWBS assessments
* Weekly lifestyle habit reviews

> “We’re not just building players, we’re building people.”
> — Jens Hofer, Fnatic Director of Performance

  

## Summary Table: Assessment Methods

| Method | Purpose | Relevance to Esports |
| --------------------------- | -------------------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| **Blood Pressure** | Cardiovascular health | Detect stress, diet issues |
| **Heart Rate** | Fitness, stress monitoring | Check workload and emotional control |
| **BMI** | General body health | Weight maintenance for sedentary players |
| **Bioelectrical Impedance** | Body composition | Tailored fitness and hydration tracking |
| **Health Questionnaire** | Lifestyle overview | Highlight gaps in sleep, diet, or exercise |
| **WEMWBS** | Mental wellbeing | Emotional and psychological tracking |
| **One-to-One Talks** | Support and intervention | Prevent burnout, build trust |
| **Lifestyle Indicators** | Observational signs | Ongoing team or self-monitoring |

  

## Final Thoughts

Monitoring health and wellbeing in esports is just as important as strategy, coaching, or mechanical skill. With long hours of screen time, intense mental pressure, and high expectations, players must develop a toolkit of assessments to:

* Prevent injury and burnout
* Improve performance
* Build a long, healthy career

Whether you're an aspiring pro, a student, or a team manager, using these tools helps you **spot problems early** and **support sustainable development** in yourself or your players.

> “Play smart. Train smarter. Live healthiest.”
> — High Performance Director, Adamas Esports

  

## Further Reading & Useful Links

* [British Esports – Player Health](https://britishesports.org/)
* [NHS – Healthy Living and Sleep](https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/)
* [WEMWBS – Official Information](https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/med/research/platform/wemwbs/)
* [Esports Healthcare](https://esportshealthcare.com/)
* [Team Liquid – Performance Approach](https://www.teamliquid.com/)
* [Mind UK – Wellbeing Tools for Young Adults](https://www.mind.org.uk/)