What Gamers Have In Common With Top Athletes 201
nk497 writes "It's no surprise that professional gamers aren't quite as fit as elite athletes, but they do have something in common. According to a British academic, top-level players show similar psychological attributes as top athletes, such as the ability to manage anxiety, and have reaction times on par with fighter pilots. Dr. Micklewright said, 'When I first got asked to do [the study], my initial reaction was "don't be ridiculous, gaming is nothing like sport." But the more I thought about it, the more similarities [became clear], and I became more and more convinced that it was close in many ways to sport.' While sitting in front of a screen might not have the same physical demands as running a marathon, neither do playing snooker or darts. Still, while gamers show good reflexes, their health was worse than expected, with one 20-something professional player showing the same aerobic health as a 60-year-old smoker." This story is based on a BBC radio report which you can currently hear, although that link seems to say that it won't last.
Re:Unpopular answer (Score:3, Informative)
I'm a diehard gamer, but I'm not foolish enough to think it's anything other than pointless entertainment, just like life.
TWGFTFY :P
Re:Cause or Result (Score:3, Informative)
Where does one get a job being a "professional gamer" other than working for a game developer?
It's easy in that you don't have to apply to become one, like most jobs, but also tough in that you won't make any money for a little while, like playing in a Band.
1) Find a popular multiplayer game /Profit
2) Get good at said game
3) Search for a league online for said game
4) Join league
5) Win tournaments
6) ???
7) Professional Gamer
Re:Unpopular answer (Score:5, Informative)
Almost no one watches real athletes like mountain climbers, weight lifters, soldiers qualifications courses, or deep sea divers.
Well, no true Scotsman does.
Re:Sports injuries... (Score:3, Informative)
Atheletes wear their bodies out, same as construction workers, but but you can't overuse your brain. Your brain has no moving parts to wear out, unlike your body. All the mentally sharp geriatrics I've known actively used their brains a lot, and IINM there have been studies proving this.
I'm not sure about the eye damage, but the only damage would be to the cornea, and I wouldn't worry about that. [slashdot.org][article] What you should worry about is if you're severely nearsighted you're at risk of retinal detachment [slashdot.org][journal]