To succeed in competitive arenas, like the upcoming Super Bowl, athletes need to be able to perform at their best. Whether this means physical endurance or thinking quickly on the spot, athletes have to develop and maintain these skills. At first glance, you might not see many similarities between the health needs of football players and esports gamers. However, esports players need to build up similar skills that physical athletes possess to achieve peak performance in their gaming.
Like with physical athletes, optimal nutritional supplementation can enhance the performance of esport athletes. This consumer need is also not leaving anytime soon; the global esports market was at just over 1.38 billion U.S. dollars in 2022, and the industry is forecast to grow to as much as 1.87 billion in 2025.1 This projected growth indicates a favorable opportunity for nutraceutical manufacturers to serve the health needs of the expanding esport athlete consumer base.
Relatively new when compared to traditional physical sports, esports are organized video game competitions in the form of leagues or tournaments. The larger, professional leagues are often set in arenas or stadiums, with the gamers being center-stage. Like a stadium that hosts the Super Bowl, the esports athletes are surrounded by a multitude of spectators cheering them on.
The demands of participating in esports championships have similar requirements as playing in a big football game:
Mental Focus Under Pressure
Like a football game, a competitive video game can only be played effectively with the ability to make quick decisions on the spot. A quarterback needs to have the mental acuity and focus to take into consideration multiple factors, whether it is the location of teammates or the positioning of defensive players. Particularly in team-based video games, these circumstances are almost the same for esports athletes; being mindful of teammates’ positions while being familiar with the layout of the game map can have a huge impact on the gameplay.
Physical Endurance for Long Events
Although they may be different in nature, football players and esports athletes both require a high level of physical endurance. Football players may perform physical feats such as running, tackling, or throwing the ball for hours. Esports athletes also play their games for extended amounts of time, which means hours of repetitive movements and seated posture; this actually shortens and stretches muscle tissue for a long period of time.2 According to a German study, the esports athlete’s levels of the stress hormone cortisol were almost the same as a race-car driver, with a high pulse of 160 to 180 beats per minute.3 This is similar to the heart rate of a marathon runner.
Recovery After Intense Performance
The physical exertion of playing football or competitive games takes a toll on the body. Both football players and esport athletes can benefit from recovery measures after events like a football game or a tournament. With football, players extensively use muscles in the upper and lower extremities, and recovery may involve physical therapy, rest, or stretching. Surprisingly, esport athletes can benefit from some of the same recovery techniques that are used for football. Postures during extended sitting such as tilting the head towards the monitor screen or slouching the shoulders can strain the musculoskeletal system. 4
Professional football players rely on optimized nutrition and supplements to perform at their best. Comparably, esport athletes also require tailored support for the demands of competitive gaming. Supplements targeting cognition, relaxation, hydration, and eye health are the most popular among esports athletes.
Most games that esports athletes play are fast-paced, requiring a variety of cognitive skills, including attention, memory, and decision making.5 Esports athletes also need to be able to think strategically, problem solve, and switch between tasks quickly.6 Nootropics, or cognitive supplements, may help improve cognitive performance of esports athletes.7 The following are some examples of nootropics that esports athletes can use for cognitive support:
Any type of competition will always create pressure, which can impact performance. When lucrative paydays and awards are on the line, stress and anxiety can result. Adaptogens can assist esports athletes in managing stress and restore well-being and balance.8 The following are a few adaptogens that can help esports athletes perform at their best:
Supplementing with electrolytes is nothing new with sports like football. However, esports athletes can also benefit from them. Dehydration can happen if esports athletes avoid fluid intake during long periods of gameplay. This can not only affect focus but also can cause fatigue and slower reaction times.9 To keep hydrated, esports athletes should consume supplements containing the following electrolytes,10 like salt and other minerals:
Esports athletes’ eyes are exposed to screens in excessive amounts. Too much screen time in gaming can cause dry eyes, eye fatigue, headaches, and more.11 Good vision is critical to maintaining top performance in competitive gaming, and there are several nutrients that can help support eye health. The following are nutrients that benefit eye health:
While not quite at the level of the Super Bowl, esports viewership is rising in number. By 2025, it is expected to reach over 318 million viewers worldwide, significantly increasing from the 215.2 million in 2020.15 And like with a good majority of football fans who play or have played football, most esports spectators are also gamers themselves. While they might not game as frequently as their professional counterparts, casual players could benefit from nutrient support because they possess the same cognition, hydration, eye health, and energy needs. Fans can be easily influenced by their favorite esports athlete’s preferred supplements, and may adopt a similar regimen.16
Esports supplement manufacturers can expand their market reach by catering to both professional gamers and the broader gaming community, which includes fans and casual gamers. This can be achieved by developing products that address the common needs of both groups, while leveraging the influence of professional gamers.
As the esports industry grows, positioning products within this market offers a way to connect with millions of potential customers. Bulk manufacturers can build brand loyalty and cater to the similar needs of both esports athletes and fans by developing supplements that meet the requirements of both groups in the esports market.
Esports has evolved into a global phenomenon, with pro players and fans alike seeking ways to improve gaming performance and overall well-being. Just as traditional athletes, like Super Bowl football players, rely on supplements to stay at the top of their game, esports gamers can benefit from products tailored to their unique cognitive, physical, and recovery needs. With the growing viewership and influence of esports, the market for supplements catering to esports athletes presents a great opportunity for nutraceutical manufacturers.
Vivion can help you get into this market with high-quality ingredients for esports supplements. Whether you’re formulating for professional gamers or casual players, our extensive portfolio of nootropics, adaptogens, electrolytes, and other nutrients can support your product development. Contact Vivion today to learn how we can provide the ingredients you need to serve this rapidly growing industry. Let’s work together to fuel the next generation of athletic champions!