A $500,000 career, gone at 25: esports' injury crisis is forcing teams to build sports-medicine staffs

Chinese esports player Jian 'Uzi' Zi-hao was more than a star 'League of Legends' player: He was so talented that his team structured its entire strategy around his abilities, funneling resources to him and another teammate, Shi 'Ming' Sen-Ming, so the duo could lead the team to victory. Over the course of his career, he earned more than $500,000 in tournament prize money. And yet in 2020, Jian announced his retirement, his storied career cut short by chronic wrist and arm injuries. He was 25 years old. Video games have a reputation for keeping people glued to the couch. But for those who compete against the best players in the world, gaming can be surprisingly physically and mentally taxing. The strain of 'climbing the ladder' The best esports players often have grinding schedules. They're expected to regularly practice, participate in scrimmages and compete in official matches. Even at the recreational level, esports players cite the mental toll: playing for hours a day, every day, to hone their skills so they can 'climb the ladder.' A 2021 study of Portuguese esports players found that 37% experienced anxiety and depression, and 45% experienced sleep disturbances. The most common physical injuries in esports generally fall under eye problems and musculoskeletal issues. Prolonged screen time leads to many types of vision problems in gamers, from the more common eye fatigue to a decreased ability to focus. Furthermore, the light emitted from screens appears to contribute to sleep disturbances by disrupting the release of melatonin, the hormone that helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle.