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There's more than one way to play sports, and the virtual way of doing things is kicking up a storm. With more than 6 million viewers and participants in the UK alone, more than one-tenth of the gaming industry, you can’t say eSports aren’t popular. One thing they are to lots of beginners, however, is elitist.
Like all sports, there is a skill hierarchy, and if you have never played before, the odds of competing with intermediate and advanced-level players will be small. Thankfully, understanding the ergonomics of gaming is often enough to help improve your skillset and gameplay. With that in mind, here are three areas to focus on.
Be Active, Not Passive
Virtual sports aren’t entirely passive because learning and understanding the strategies and controls will engage the mind. However, most games don’t require users to do much in the way of movement, and that’s problematic because remaining inactive impacts the mind and body.
For instance, sitting in a chair all day results in tightness in numerous areas, from the hamstrings and legs to the arms and fingers. Stretching not only increases flexibility in the muscles and joints, but it reduces the risk of injury too.
Controlling your breathing is another aspect of ergonomics that works wonders. Scientists have proven that the rhythm of inhalation and exhalation results in electrical activity in the brain that improves judgments and memory recall. Therefore, ‘warming up’ before a match is essential for eAthletes as well as traditional athletes.
Remember That Cleanliness Leads to Success
In all aspects of life. For instance, dealing with brain clutter leads to less physical clutter, which means adults are more organised and less likely to make mistakes. Or, it can lead to a better mental state, with research showing that clean couples are happier than their less clean counterparts.
Of course, there is also the impact of dirt and grime on the body. Keyboards can be up to five times dirtier than a toilet seat, meaning the build-up can lead to food poisoning to nausea and diarrhoea. Athletes aren’t effective if they aren’t in peak condition so that’s why it’s imperative to learn how to clean keyboard equipment by wiping it down with alcohol wipes and scraping out ridges with a toothpick to kill bacteria.
Your entire desk is your workspace when you’re gaming. Therefore, you should treat it like you would your office to extract the ultimate performance from your abilities.
Position Your Screen at Eye Level
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With so many gaming methods to choose from – PC, mobile, console, etc., - it’s easy to mix and match your approach to suit the different genres. It's a mistake because there is a one-size-fits-all rule concerning monitors – they should be at eye level.
When a screen is at the right height, you can see almost everything that is happening in the game. As a result, you can react quickly and solve issues before they escalate. Plus, your vision is the main aspect of play because if you can’t see clearly, you won’t improve. Strains and fatigue are less common when a screen is at eye level since there is less pressure on them.
Beginners should know that there are many ways to improve. The easiest by far is to concentrate on ergonomic features, such as comfort, cleanliness and being active.
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