# Stay on Top: Health Screening for Gamers
  
## How to Communicate, Test, and Provide Feedback to Improve Health Status

## Introduction

As esports continues to grow in professionalism and intensity, the need for **holistic player care** has never been more critical. A well-rounded health and wellbeing screening process not only helps players perform better, but also prevents injuries, burnout, and mental health decline.

Screening players means more than ticking boxes. It requires:

* **Clear communication**
* **Emotional intelligence**
* **Technical accuracy**
* **Ethical awareness**
* **Sensitivity in difficult conversations**

This guide will help you understand how to **effectively communicate**, **carry out screenings**, and **provide supportive, professional feedback** that improves the health status of esports players.

  

## Communicating with an Esports Player

Before a single test is carried out, the foundation of an effective screening process begins with **communication**.

  

### Types of Communication

#### **Verbal Communication**

The words you choose matter.

* Use **clear, jargon-free language**
* **Adapt your tone** depending on the person (e.g. relaxed vs. formal)
* **Ask open-ended questions** to encourage discussion

> Example: “Can you tell me about your current sleep routine?”
> vs.
> “Do you sleep okay?” (Yes/No)

#### **Non-Verbal Communication**

Non-verbal cues often speak louder than words. Be aware of:

* **Eye contact**: Encourages trust
* **Body posture**: Open posture shows you're approachable
* **Facial expressions**: Smile where appropriate; avoid judgmental looks
* **Proximity**: Respect personal space

**Pro tip**: During sensitive moments (e.g. discussing diet, mental health), *non-verbal empathy* — like a nod or a gentle pause — can be more powerful than speaking.

  

### Building Rapport

Building rapport puts the player **at ease**, making them more likely to share honestly and participate fully.

**Techniques**:

* Start with **small talk** or common interests (e.g. favourite game or role)
* **Acknowledge achievements**: “I saw you did well in that Valorant scrim last week!”
* Be **genuine** and avoid sounding scripted

  

### Using Conversation to Engage

Don’t turn the screening into an interrogation. Instead, treat it as a **collaborative conversation**. For example:

> “Let’s look at how your current nutrition might be supporting your gameplay and if we can tweak anything.”

This creates buy-in and reduces defensiveness.

  

### Sensitivity in Difficult Conversations

Discussing issues like **weight**, **stress**, or **emotional wellbeing** can be hard.

**Tips**:

* Use **neutral language**: “BMI category” instead of “overweight”
* Emphasise **support**, not judgment
* **Never pressure** a player to answer if they seem uncomfortable
* Always **frame feedback as an opportunity** for improvement

  

### Assessing the Facts & Asking Extension Questions

Good assessors don’t stop at surface-level responses. Use **extension questions** to dig deeper:

* “You mentioned struggling to sleep — can you tell me more about when that started?”
* “You’re feeling low energy—how’s your hydration been lately?”

This helps paint a **complete picture** of the player’s wellbeing.

  

## Undertaking Health and Wellbeing Testing

Let’s explore how to carry out **high-quality, player-centred assessments**.

  

### Customer Service Skills in Practice

While esports players may be used to gaming environments, health assessments can feel vulnerable — especially for younger or newer players. Strong **interpersonal and customer service skills** are essential.

#### Skills to Use:

| Skill | Application |
| -------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Clear Communication** | Explain tests in easy terms |
| **Attentiveness** | Listen carefully; repeat details to show understanding |
| **Positive Body Language** | Open posture, nodding, smiling |
| **Friendliness** | Be approachable but professional |
| **Responsiveness** | Adapt if player shows anxiety or confusion |
| **Knowledge** | Know test protocols thoroughly and explain their relevance |

> Example: “This balance test helps us understand how well your body centres itself — crucial for maintaining posture over long sessions.”

  

### Mental Health and Wellbeing Assessments

Mental and emotional wellness is just as important as physical health in esports.

#### Key Methods:

* **Consultation/Conversation**

* “How have you been feeling about your performance recently?”
* **Questioning**

* Structured tools like the **WEMWBS** or custom wellbeing forms
* **Listening**

* Let silence happen; players may need time to respond
* **Non-Verbal Observation**

* Low energy, withdrawn behaviour, fidgeting may signal mental fatigue
* **Confidentiality**

* Never share personal details with others without consent
* **Informed Consent**

* Explain what the test is, why it’s used, and get verbal or written agreement

  

### Administering Physical Tests

These require care, precision, and respect.

#### Pre-Test Procedures

* Explain the **purpose and process** of each test
* Check for **contraindications** (injuries, medications)
* Confirm **informed consent**
* Record **baseline details** (age, height, weight)

#### Maintaining Dignity

* Use appropriate language and respect privacy
* Avoid judgmental remarks
* Provide **gender-appropriate assessors** if necessary
* Let players choose whether to be observed by others

  

### Test Sequence and Protocols

Each test has a set **sequence** to ensure consistency.

> Example: A basic physical fitness assessment might follow this order:

1. Resting heart rate and blood pressure
2. BMI or body composition
3. Balance/agility (e.g. standing stork test)
4. Flexibility (e.g. sit and reach)
5. Reaction time tests
6. Aerobic endurance (e.g. step test)

**Protocols**:

* Use **standardised instructions**
* Provide **rest periods** as needed
* Ensure **equipment calibration** and safety

  

### Health and Safety

* Use a **clean, ventilated, non-slip space**
* Check **equipment** for faults
* Have a **first-aid plan** and emergency contact information
* Encourage **hydration breaks**

  

### Recording Test Results

Always record:

* **Date and time**
* **Test method used**
* **Raw scores and interpretation**
* **Observations** (e.g. "Player expressed nervousness before test")
* **Recommendations for follow-up**

Use secure storage systems or **GDPR-compliant software** if data is digital.

  

### Reasons to Terminate a Fitness Test

Sometimes you’ll need to **pause or stop** a test for safety:

| Reason | Example |
| ---------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------- |
| Player reports **dizziness** | Step test or aerobic test |
| **Sudden chest pain** | During or after exertion |
| Player shows **distress** | Crying or emotional shutdown during wellbeing talk |
| **Injury signs** appear | Limping, sudden joint pain |
| **Incorrect technique** | That could lead to injury |
| **Player asks to stop** | Consent can be withdrawn at any time |

  

## Giving Feedback to Improve Health Status

After screening, your role is to **give supportive, actionable feedback** that helps the player make positive changes.

  

### What Good Feedback Looks Like:

* **Timely**: Don’t wait days to share results
* **Private**: Respect confidentiality
* **Constructive**: Focus on improvement, not blame
* **Personalised**: Tailored to the player’s goals and context
* **Encouraging**: Emphasise strengths as well as areas to improve

  

### Feedback Example

> “Your balance was great — that’ll help during long tournament sessions. You mentioned some low energy, and your hydration score was a bit low — would you be open to trying a hydration tracker this week?”

Use tools like:

* Visual graphs of progress
* Comparison to age or role-based norms
* Suggested next steps (e.g. see a physio, join a fitness class)

  

## Case Example: A Realistic Screening Session

**Player**: 19-year-old Apex Legends competitor preparing for LAN event

**Step 1: Introduction and Rapport**

* Chat about favourite characters, recent rank climb
* Ask how they’re feeling about the upcoming event

**Step 2: Mental Wellbeing Screening**

* WEMWBS questionnaire and informal discussion
* Player mentions poor sleep and back pain

**Step 3: Physical Testing**

* Posture assessment and stork balance test
* BMI and hydration test
* Results show slightly above-normal BMI, good balance, and dehydration

**Step 4: Feedback**

* “You’ve got solid balance and muscle control — great foundation. Let’s work on hydration and maybe explore back support for long sessions.”

  

## Summary Table: Best Practices for Screening and Feedback

| Task | Best Practice | Tools/Notes |
| ----------------------- | --------------------------------- | ------------------------------------- |
| Communication | Clear, sensitive, rapport-focused | Open questions, body language |
| Mental Health Screening | Confidential and consented | WEMWBS, observation, conversation |
| Physical Testing | Safe, structured, dignified | BMI, balance, reaction, aerobic |
| Data Handling | Accurate and secure | Record sheets, GDPR compliance |
| Feedback | Supportive and practical | Visuals, small changes, encouragement |

  

## Useful Links & Further Reading

* [British Esports Association – Player Wellbeing Resources](https://britishesports.org)
* [NHS Live Well – Health Testing Guidance](https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/)
* [Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS)](https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/med/research/platform/wemwbs/)
* [Excel Esports – Player Performance Model](https://excelesports.com/)
* [Esports Healthcare](https://esportshealthcare.com)

  

## Final Thoughts

Screening is more than a routine — it’s a **relationship of trust**. Whether you're working with an elite player or a grassroots competitor, your role is to make them feel seen, supported, and safe. With the right skills and attitude, you can not only identify health risks but also **empower players** to become stronger, healthier, and more successful — both in-game and in life.