Relationship between E-sports and physical activity participation: Validation of the E-sports Addiction Scale (ESAS)

Background: E-sports are becoming increasingly popular. Considering the addictive potential of video games, e-sports might be more addictive than traditional sports. This study assessed the addiction risk in regular e-sports players and its relationship with other physical exercise habits. Method: A sample of 116 (93.1% males; mean age = 23.91±4.47) e-sports players answered questions online on play and exercise habits and completed the E-sports Addiction Scale (ESAS) derived from the revised Exercise Addiction Inventory (EAI-R). Results: The ESAS showed excellent model fit, allowing researchers to assess the risk of e-sports addiction in future studies. The risk rate of e-sports addiction was 3.44% (4/116), comparable to or lower than the risk in traditional exercises. The weekly hours of playtime accounted for only 12.9% of the variance in e-sports addiction. There was no relationship between e-sports and physical activity. Over 70% of the sample exercised three times a week. Conclusions: These results suggest e-sports may be less addictive than physical exercise or traditional sports. Their growth may not foster an increase in problematic gaming. Furthermore, more play seems unrelated to less physical activity. Finally, e-sports players are physically active, and over two-thirds meet the World Health Organization’s activity recommendations for health.