How Many Calories do Gamers Burn?

Gaming has become a widespread hobby and many people are starting to adopt it. With the emerging trend comes health cautions which are often being raised by professionals. Gamers who play continuously and cannot give their bodies the time they need have raised serious concerns about their physical health.

The absence of activity or exercise may cause significant health problems that cannot be ignored. According to several experts, most gamers either genuinely dislike exercising or find it challenging to schedule a time to do so.

We’ve known for a long time that gaming has advantages, such as improving visual clarity and problem-solving skills, but a new study suggests that gaming can also help you burn fat.

Key Takeaways

• Gaming can actually help you burn calories and lose weight, particularly if you’re playing tense and competitive games that raise your heart rate and require fast finger movements.
• Research has shown that gamers may actually be more active and have healthier habits than the general population, challenging stereotypes of gamers as sedentary and unhealthy.
• While gaming can provide some level of exercise, it’s still important to have a balanced lifestyle and incorporate other physical activities into your routine to avoid an unhealthy lifestyle.

How do Gamers Burn Fat While Gaming?

Fat loss is achieved primarily by concentrating on tense situations while gaming. Not only does it allow your mind to function faster, but it also allows sweat to be released, resulting in calorie burn. Furthermore, being in stressful situations causes an increase in heart rate, which causes the body to use more energy, resulting in fat loss. Rapid movement of fingers and hands also leads to a considerable amount of calorie loss.

According to a study conducted by the game platform Stakester, one hour of gameplay burned approximately 210 calories in men and 236 calories in women.

That, according to Stakester, is the equivalent of doing 1000 sit-ups.

“We all know that competition increases our heart rate and most of us have experienced the ‘gaming sweat’ that happens when you’re searching for a last-minute goal in FIFA or a tight spot in Warzone,” said Tom Fairey, CEO, and founder of Stakester. “It’s no surprise that this burns calories, but we were surprised to see just how many are burned during a two-hour session, it certainly beats doing 1000 sit-ups,” he added.

Researchers tracked the heart rate and calorie burn of 50 gamers while they played FIFA and Warzone for two hours for Stakester’s study. While this may come as a surprise, Stakester’s research isn’t the first to link gaming and a healthy lifestyle.

A Queensland University of Technology (QUT) study of 1,400 gamers from 65 countries last year discovered that players are 21% more likely than the general population to have healthier body weights. According to the survey, esports players smoke and drink less than the general population and are significantly more active.

QUT esports researcher Michael Trotter said after publishing their results: “The findings challenge the stereotype of the physically unfit gamer”

He further implied saying “When you think of esports, there are often concerns raised regarding sedentary behavior and poor health as a result, and the study revealed some interesting and mixed results.”

Conclusion

The rising trend of gaming has grasped the attention of the majority of people from different groups. Due to lack of physical activity, health experts are often raising concerns regarding health issues of individuals. However, a multitude of studies shows that gaming actually helps in burning calories resulting in weight loss making it a suitable hobby to adopt.

Even though gaming helps you stay physically fit, it does not mean you should do it exclusively. Having a balance in a gamer’s life is just as important as being professional, so gamers must incorporate activities into their daily routine to avoid an unhealthy lifestyle.

FAQ

Can gaming help you lose weight?

Research has shown that gaming can help you burn calories and even lose weight, particularly if you’re playing competitive games that raise your heart rate and require fast finger movements.

How many calories can you burn while gaming?

According to a study by the game platform Stakester, I burned approximately 210 calories in men and 236 calories in women for one hour of gameplay.

What types of games are best for burning calories?

Tense and competitive games that require fast finger movements and raise your heart rate are best for burning calories while gaming.

Do esports players have healthier habits than other gamers?

According to a Queensland University of Technology study, esports players are more likely than the general population to have healthier body weights and engage in healthier habits such as smoking and drinking less.

Should gamers rely solely on gaming for exercise?

No, while gaming can provide some level of exercise, it’s important to have a balanced lifestyle and incorporate other physical activities into your routine to avoid an unhealthy lifestyle.