In this episode with special guest Dr. Lindsey Migliore aka GamerDoc (esports medicine physician), we discuss gamer health and wellness, common medical problems among gamers, how to game into your late 30s (at least), the business of esports medicine, organizations such as Team Liquid investing massive dollars into player fitness and nutrition, Ninja making a comeback to Twitch, and so much more!
Episode #97: GamerDoc, Gamer Health & Wellness, Ninja Comeback, Team Liquid Elite Training
As a gamer who has been competing amateurly over the last 8years I never knew how much should go into preparing yourself for the “Big Game” and making sure you are practicing efficiently. I knew that there were a few things that help enhance your abilities but I never thought that the type of carbohydrates could play a role in the factor. In certain aspects, I too fall under the stigma against health and wellness in gaming. But after listen to GamerDoc speak I will definitely start to try and better myself while not gaming as I try to improve in game. Throughout my time following esports, I have heard players having strict rules when relating to diet and fitness and I have started to hear it more often in recent years. I like hearing that Team Liquid as well as Complexity are starting to place more importance on their players health which in doing so can increase their performance while playing. I used to think that in some organizations, players weren’t treated as they should be and they organization only cared about them while they were performing.
Regarding lifespan of a professional esports player, I think something can be done about this. Like GamerDoc said, focus on health and wellness of esports athletes will become the default for gaming organizations as we go forward. I think this increase into health and wellness can lead to an extension when it comes to a player only being able to stay in his prime for 3-4years. As you said, when you look at someone like Tom Brady who has been performing as one of the NFLs top quarterbacks for the last the 20 years. I think it is absolutely a testament to how he takes care of his body. Being 43, he has to put in more time then a 23 year old that just graduated college. In the world of esports if organizations place more of a emphasis on player health and coach them to take care of themselves and promote both health and wellness we could see an increase of the lifespan of esport players.
PhD’s were the first *doctors*, so a big eye roll to the guest throwing shade on the effort or clout that a PhD has. Medicine has only relatively recently adopted the “doctor” part that is based on the PhD Dr. term.
Nice episode, otherwise, and an important developing field that has many good medical professionals and researchers growing the space.
It is not easy trying to be a professional esport player. I think people underestimate how hard it is to become one. People assume that its just playing a game in front of a tv but that is not the case. Serious esport gamers train, watch films and study their opponents and it requires looking at a screen and depending on how they do things, a sedentary lifestyle. I wouldn’t say that they need professional trainers but to get some form of exercise so in the future It does not affect their health and well being. Esports gamers have to do this everyday and it can take a toll on their mental health so eating healthy and exercise can help them feel good.