Video games : How does 3 hours of playing a day affect your health?

Researchers at the Australian University of Queensland have warned that using video games for only 3 hours a day can harm your body.

The research team conducted surveys that included 955 players between the ages of 18 and 94, asking them how many times they played video games, whether they had plans to become professional players, and also whether they experienced physical problems as a result of playing for a long time.

The results revealed that participants who played video games for 4 hours or more in one session were more likely to report negative physical symptoms, which included eye strain (46.1%), hand pain or stiff wrists (45.4%), and back pain or neck stiffness (52.1%). ), in addition to fatigue and headache.

It was also found that participants who scored high on Internet gaming disorder (or addiction) were four times more likely to report physical problems.

“The association between prolonged play and physical problems or pain applies to both young people and older adults, although older individuals showed a higher risk of developing hand or wrist pain,” the researchers explained. Older age groups were more likely to report specific physical symptoms compared to those aged 18 to 25 years.

The study urges players to take regular breaks during their video game marathons.

The study was published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior.