Energy Expenditure of Esports Athletes During Gameplay: A Systematic Review.

Abstract

Background: As competitive gaming continues its global rise, understanding the energy expenditure of esports athletes is essential for evaluating both performance demands and potential health risks. Esports-defined as organised, competitive video gaming-have rapidly expanded and are increasingly recognised as a legitimate form of sport, although debates about their classification remain.

Objective: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the energy expenditure of esports athletes during gameplay and identify factors influencing metabolic responses.

Methods: A comprehensive search across multiple databases, including PubMed, Embase, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, and Scopus, yielded 176 records. Studies were screened according to predefined PECO-based eligibility criteria and were critically appraised for methodological quality. The review is registered in PROSPERO (CRD42025644801) and follows the PRISMA 2020 guidelines.

Results: Five studies were included in the review. The included studies assessed energy expenditure in various esports genres, such as multiplayer online battle arena, first-person shooter, and sports simulations, and involved both amateur and professional esports athletes. Measurement methods ranged from indirect calorimetry to wearable heart rate monitors. Despite the predominantly sedentary nature of esports, findings revealed modest increases in energy expenditure and heart rate during gameplay compared to resting conditions. Notably, one study reported that amateur esports athletes expended approximately 40% more energy during competitive sessions, while another found only minimal changes in oxygen consumption among amateur esports athletes. Variation in energy expenditure was linked to player expertise, game genre, and gameplay intensity and duration. Professional esports athletes generally exhibited greater energy expenditure and more pronounced physiological responses than amateurs, suggesting that competitive pressure and cognitive demand contribute to increased metabolic output. However, considerable heterogeneity in study protocols and measurement techniques limited cross-study comparability.

Conclusion: Overall, the review indicates that while esports elicit a clear sympathetic nervous system response, as evidenced by elevated heart rate and stress biomarkers, the overall metabolic demands remain relatively low, consistent with light physical activity. These insights have important implications for understanding the health risks associated with prolonged sedentary behaviour in esports athletes. The review underscores the need for standardised methodologies in future research to accurately assess energy expenditure in esports and to further explore the long-term health effects of competitive gaming.