Gonçalves, HeberSereno, PauloSantos, RubimRodrigues, Matilde2024-05-102024-05-102024Gonçalves, H., Sereno, P., Santos, R., & Rodrigues, M. A. (2024). Lumbar postural responses during gaming activity: A study with semi-professional and amateur gamers. Em P. M. Arezes, R. B. Melo, P. Carneiro, J. Castelo Branco, A. Colim, N. Costa, S. Costa, J. Duarte, J. C. Guedes, G. Perestrelo, & J. S. Baptista (Eds.), Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health V (1a, Vol. 492, pp. 151–161). Springer Nature Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-38277-2_13978-3-031-38277-2http://hdl.handle.net/10400.22/25498Be a gamer is nowadays an important activity among young people. However, due to the number of hours that gamers spend seated in front of a computer, there is an increased risk of low-back pain (LBP). However, studies that address this problem for gamers are still scarce. The present study aimed to characterize gaming behaviours of amateur and semi-professional gamers and, through an experimental study, analyse the effect of those behaviours on lumbar postural responses. Firstly, questionnaires were developed and applied to the gamer community in Portugal to get information about gaming behaviours, habits and discomfort felt. Additionally, through an experimental study, lumbar flexion was assessed during a three-hour gaming session. A triaxial accelerometer system was used to this end. Results showed that gamers can play for seven days per week, training at least two to three hours per day. During a typical training session, it was observed that lumbar flexion angle varied trough time. Data showed data ROM% was 50.5% in the correct seating position, but during the session it ranged on average between 40.9 and 22.9%. These results suggest that gamers are at risk of LBP. Additional studies are needed in this field with the purpose to better understand the risk of musculoskeletal disorders that gamers are exposed.engeSportsLumbar posturesComputer gamingMusculoskeletal disordersLow-back painbook part10.1007/978-3-031-38277-2_13