Improve Your Gaming Performance with Physical Activity

As a gamer, you probably sit down for several hours each day, not moving your body in a healthy way. Adding physical activity to your daily life will positively affect both your physical and mental well-being. Your performance will get a significant boost in several ways. You are likely to feel an increase in energy and focus immediately after a single workout, but regular training will make the benefits last longer.

In todays episode of Healthy Gamer you will learn why physical activity is a powerful way to improve your gaming performance. At the end of this article you will know how to get started with your own training and gain valuable insight into how to stay motivated.

Guidelines for General Health

We will be focusing on physical activity in relation to performance, but for the sake of general health, let’s briefly cover the World Health Organisation guidelines. They suggest that you aim for a weekly 150 to 300 minutes of cardiovascular training at moderate intensity or 75 to 150 minutes at vigorous intensity. At the same time, you should engage in moderate intensity muscle training for all major muscle groups at least twice a week.

Benefits of Physical Activity on Gaming Performance

Research has found a positive correlation between physical exercise and esports performance. Results show that a short period of intense cardiovascular training before playing will significantly improve performance in various ways.

Major benefits of physical activity

  • Quicker reaction times
  • Greater thinking and memory skills
  • Enhanced focus and concentration
  • Higher cognitive flexibility
  • Prevention of injuries.

How to get started with physical activity

As mentioned at the beginning, exercising regularly will make the benefits last longer and become more prominent, even on days without training.

Explore different activities
There is no such thing as a perfect workout or exercise, the best one is the one you are motivated to do and get done consistently. Explore different type of activities and find what sparks an energy inside you. Doing an activity that has elements of enjoyment is a key factor for long term motivation. Some of the most popular ways to exercise are running, cycling, sports and lifting weights.

Start small
A good way to start is to begin with small and manageable goals. Whether it’s a 10 minutes run or a few rounds of a body workout at home. As you achieve these goals, your confidence will grow, and you’ll be ready for more challenging tasks. Your focus should be on building the habit not chasing the results.

Make a plan
Just like you may have a scheduled routine for your aim training, setup a weekly plan for your physical activity. When designing your weekly plan you need to consider your time available, your current form, and your motivation. Write the plan down on a piece of paper or put it in your calendar. Remember to listen to your body and make changes if needed.

How to Stay Motivated

Motivation will always change. One day you may be super excited and full of energy. On other days it’s hard to find the energy to get out the door. Therefore, you should begin by focusing on building a habit instead of chasing the results. Create consistency by committing to your weekly plan, then the long lasting benefits will soon show up.

Tips to stay motivated

  • Start with low expectations to make it more manageable
  • Write down your workout and go through the activity in your head
  • Put on your favourite music to bring out positive emotions
  • Find a friend to stay active with
  • Celebrate your efforts
  • Be active during the time of day when you have the most energy.

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