1032 - Exercise to Manage Musculoskeletal Complications of Forward Head Posture in eSports Athletes

Objectives: The well-established association between forward head posture (FHP) and musculoskeletal (MSK) issues such as neck and back pain is worsened by prolonged video gaming sessions over 3 hours. Professional eSports players, engaging in up to 8-hour gaming sessions, are at risk of severe MSK problems if their posture is poor. Physiatrists utilize exercise therapy to address FHP-induced MSK problems, fostering healthier and prolonged eSports careers. This review explores the effectiveness of exercise in mitigating MSK issues associated with FHP.

Design: 9 articles that focus on preventing and treating MSK pain caused by FHP in eSports Athletes were found and analyzed using the PubMed search terms "forward head posture", "musculoskeletal pain", "eSports", and "exercises".

Results: Exercises to manage musculoskeletal complaints caused by FHP in eSports athletes can be categorized into stretching and strengthening. Both are crucial for improving posture control and reducing stress on vulnerable structures from prolonged sitting. Strength training is essential for enhancing endurance and stabilizing the core, trunk, and related kinetic chain muscles used in the sport. Emphasis should be placed on strengthening cervical, core, and periscapular (like rhomboids and lower trapezius) muscles to prevent upper crossed syndrome. Stretching should target tight muscles like the pectoralis, anterior shoulders, and upper trapezius. Dynamic exercises covering the entire range of motion, with a pause at the end to enhance blood flow and muscle elasticity, are recommended. The Mezieres and McKenzie methods are two stretching techniques for preventing and treating FHP-related ailments in gamers.

Conclusions: This review emphasizes how strengthening and stretching exercises effectively manage FHP-related MSK issues in eSports athletes. Physiatrists can play a crucial role in prescribing recommended exercises and building a comprehensive plan to reduce injury risks in these athletes. Collaborating with a physiatrist allows athletes to prevent musculoskeletal problems and optimize eSports performance.