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Study: Pro Gamers Have Reactions Of Fighter Pilots, Bodies Of Chain Smokers

News

by Adam Biessener on June 10, 2010 at 01:30 PM

6,926 Views

A researcher from the University of Essex in the U.K. performed a number of tests on competition-level gamers and compared the results against those of fighter pilots and professional athletes. The results showed mental acuity that rivaled the most elite examples in the other careers, while the gamers' aerobic health was more on par with 60-year-old chain smokers.

"Elite athletes have unusually high levels of positive feelings and low levels of negative feelings such as depression and fatigue," Dr. Dominic Micklewright told Telegraph.co.uk. ''We saw similar characteristics in gamers, albeit not quite as pronounced.'' Similarly, tests measuring reflexes and reaction time produced stellar results. However, the pro-level cyberathletes that took part in the study spend an inordinate amount of time in-game – upwards of 10 hours per day in some cases. This led to predictably poor results in the physical fitness tests.

The overall picture painted by Dr. Micklewright's work shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone, but comparing gamers' bodies to that of a 60-year-old chain smoker? Ouch.

Email the author Adam Biessener, or follow on Twitter, and Game Informer.

Filed under: News, pro gaming, research, science

Comments

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by salvation10954 Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 01:37 PM

cant say much but i work out most days so im not like those fat guys
by salvation10954 Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 01:37 PM
by massrockdude Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 01:41 PM

Yes, because most gamers play more than 10 hours of video games a day. (Sarcasm) What are they trying to prove?
by Redwall Monk Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 01:42 PM

To bad there probably won't be any games to be pro at on Natal or Move.
by Solfleet Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 01:43 PM

Wow thats harsh, I wouldnt have thought it would be that bad.... but I guess it makes sense in a way.
by linktriforce...ridin in the roflcopter Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 01:44 PM

yeah i work out every other day(work). Id say my body weight is fine and my reflexes are top notch like every other gamer! Anyway I'd say video games gave me the hand eye coordination to be able to be a surgeon.
by born4this Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 01:48 PM

That sounds about right.
by Sev Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 01:50 PM

Whoa... I used that same picture just yesterday.
by James Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 01:53 PM

I would refute these results (cough cough), but I cannot muster the strength to stand and shake my fist vigorously. I shall just smirk in an angry fashion. (/smirk)....that was exhausting!
by Sampson Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 02:05 PM

I have pretty good reflexes and reaction time i noticed, i guess that is from playing video games?
Mod

by Warbuff Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 02:05 PM

"comparing gamers' bodies to that of a 60-year-old chain smoker"

Sounds like they just had a group of gamers play Wii fit for an hour.
by JustDontBeRecon Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 02:14 PM

What if a professional gamer was, in fact, a chain-smoker. I'm willing to bet he'll be healthier than the rest.
by Solid Snake Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 02:16 PM

Looks like gamers would make good fighter pilots haha.
by Dogfonos Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 02:27 PM

hahaha sounds about right
by Colton Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 02:34 PM

haha Fact.
by drinkmoxie Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 02:39 PM

I'd like to see how these 'cyberathletes' compete in a chain-smoking contest!

With reflexes on par with a fighter pilot, I bet they could outsmoke the smokers.
by GmRmXx Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 02:46 PM

I'm in great physical shape, but then again, I don't play video games 10 hours a day. I suppose ANYONE that plays video games that long is bound to be a bit unhealthy.
by Gili Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 02:47 PM

I wonder if they put the effort to become more athletic, would their reflexes atrophy?
by slickvicXLII Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 02:48 PM

id have to agree. as someone who plays lots of games, id say my reflexes are pretty sharp. not only in games, but also in my day-to-day activities. that being said, i also have to take the negative along with the positive, since im a big dude.
by Adam Smith Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 02:58 PM

Hmm...so maybe they should have competitive "Wii Fit" MLG tournaments?