Assessing health risks in esports players: An investigation using Mogash scale for online gaming addiction and correlation with BMI

Abstract

Background: The new era in the gaming world where electronic sports which is known as Esports requires physical and mental health statuses, awareness, capability as well as adaptability. When performing on a competitive or practice basis in any esports and/or online games, different esports players should also understand the hazardous effects of an online games and regarding that their health statuses with managing gaming performance affected by it. MOGASH scale is the newest and structured for the esports and electronic gaming world which is questioning the players about their health statuses in regards of physical and mental well-being. This MOGASH scale is online gaming specific scale and/or outcome measure scale which tends to check the health statuses for the same. Methods: Cross sectional survey study was conducted on a total of 221 participants, adult esports players from two different online gaming settings were taken for the study as per inclusion and exclusion criteria. Non-probability convenience sampling was done. They were assigned in to complete questions in given questionnaire with the help of MOGASH scale and its interpretation. Results: A total of 221 participants were screened to check the health statuses regarding physical health and psychological health with by asking questions in questionnaire by using MOGASH scale. The statistical analysis was done. The descriptive result of Pearson’s correlation coefficient noted with -0.008 stated no correlation between MOGASH scores and BMI scores. But, MOGASH scale scores noted moderate level of risk on health status with 58% inclusion of esports players. Conclusion: MOGASH score noted on a moderate level of risk on health status of Esports players and no correlation found between Gaming Addiction and BMI scores.