Health Habits of Norwegian Esports Athletes in the Good Game League – Baumann (ERNC25)

This presentation by André Baumann from Gamers Performance, the University of Bergen, and the Grassroots Esports Alliance presents a prospective cohort study examining health characteristics and lifestyle habits among Norwegian esports athletes competing in the Good Game League divisions 1 to 4.

While esports athletes may benefit from structured routines and competitive discipline, existing research suggests that esports participation is often associated with suboptimal health habits. These include sedentary behaviour, irregular sleep patterns, poor dietary routines, and musculoskeletal strain. In Norway specifically, earlier studies have indicated frequent breakfast skipping, high energy drink consumption, and extensive screen use before sleep among esports students.

The purpose of the study is fourfold. First, it aims to describe the lifestyle habits of national level esports athletes. Second, it examines how health and health behaviours vary across competitive divisions. Third, it assesses the extent to which esports athletes meet national and international recommendations for sleep, diet, and physical activity. Finally, it investigates how these habits change over the course of a full year of national competition.

The study follows a prospective cohort design. Approximately 2000 athletes from six esports titles are being recruited from the national league structure and online platforms. Participants are followed across the 2025 and 2026 competitive seasons. Data from the first measurement point are analysed descriptively across divisions, with regression analyses used to examine differences between competitive levels while controlling for key demographic variables. Longitudinal analyses model changes in health and lifestyle habits over time.

Data collection is currently ongoing, with final results expected in fall 2026. A prior power analysis indicates sufficient statistical power to detect small effects across divisions.

The presentation highlights the relevance of health and lifestyle factors for athlete well being and the social sustainability of esports. By providing large scale, longitudinal data on national level esports athletes, the study aims to inform evidence based health promotion and targeted interventions within the Norwegian esports ecosystem.

Keywords: esports athletes, health habits, physical activity, sleep, nutrition, prospective cohort study

About the ERN Conference 2025:

The Esports Research Network Conference 2025 took place online from November 12–14, 2025 as a continuous, 72-hour global livestream. Guided by the theme “Future Realities: Esports as a Global Lab,” the event explored how esports serves as a living laboratory for understanding digital transformation across education, media, technology, and society. This innovative digital-first format followed the sun across three regional hubs, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania & Michigan State University (Americas), Staffordshire University (EMEA), and UNSW Sydney (Asia-Pacific), creating a nonstop, interconnected academic experience available to participants worldwide.

This ambitious production was made possible through the support of Corsair for Business, whose Elgato technology powered high-quality broadcasting and seamless livestreaming across all three hubs. ERNC25 continues the network’s mission to unite scholars, practitioners, and students while fostering open, global collaboration in esports research.

Full abstracts for all presentations can be viewed in the official Book of Abstracts at: https://book.esportsresearch.net

Website: https://esportsresearch.net