Reducing Thrombotic Risks in Video Gamers

AJP-Heart and Circulatory Physiology Podcast

Ready Player One? In our latest episode, Dr. Keith Brunt (Dalhousie University) interviews lead author Dr. Joanne DiFrancisco-Donoghue (New York Institute of Technology) and expert Dr. Saurabh Thosar (Oregon Health and Science University Hospital) about a new article published in the AJP-Heart and Circ Call for Papers on Exercise, Physical Activity, and Cardiovascular Health. DiFrancisco-Donoghue et al. raise an important question about the risk for college level e-sport athletes, professionals, and recreational gamers to develop deep vein thromboses. Using Doppler ultrasound recordings of blood flow velocity and volume, the authors found a decrease in both measures when e-sport play was interrupted with a 6-minute walk. DiFrancisco-Donoghue and co-authors found a similar decrease when e-sport athletes wore compression sleeves during play. Could either a break in play for a brief walk or wearing compression stockings help e-sport athletes avoid the risk of deep vein thrombosis caused by prolonged sitting? What effects might this have on executive function, improvement in game play, and for that matter, sleep? If you are a recreational gamer or hoping to go professional, a casual e-sports spectator, or even an active member of the military sitting for prolonged periods of time, you don’t want to miss this engaging and enlightening episode! Listen now.

Joanne DiFrancisco-Donoghue, Kelly Borges, Timothy Li, Olivia Ballone, Hallie Zwibel, and Peter C. Douris Reducing thrombotic risks in video gamers: investigating the benefits of walking and compression sleeves on blood hemodynamics Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, published February 8, 2024. DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00669.2023

I Spy Physiology Blog by Erica Roth
How Can Walking and Wearing Socks Help Video Gamers?