Lower Leg Compression in Extended Video Game Play: A Pilot Study

Overview

Compression garments are used to exert external pressure on the lower extremities to reduce vascular wall tension and prevent gravity form pooling blood in the lower extremities which will improve venous return and lymphatic output. Given the nature of video game play, sitting for prolonged periods of time without an active break is the perfect scenario to put these players at risk for deep vein thromboses (DVTs). Graduated compression wear may offer significant health benefits to this rapidly expanding sport. This study is essential to the formation of effective performance wear to reduce health risks in a gaming population.

The use of compression wear has expanded from clinical use into the sports market. The recommendations to wear compression gear in athletes is based on improvement in venous blood flow which improves exchange of fresh blood and blood waste. The findings of research on its use to improve running performance has been mixed. Anecdotally, in 2001 Allen Iverson of the National Basketball Association (NBA) wore a compression arm sleeve to prevent swelling and provide relief of bursitis in his elbow. Lebron James of the NBA and London marathon runner Paul Radcliffe both swear by compression gear. In the 2016 Olympics, it was estimated that 90% of athletes used some form of compression performance gear. (1) The compression wear sports industry market is a billion-dollar industry projected to be worth 3.96 billion dollars by 2022.(1) Clinicians traditionally prescribe compression gear to reduce the incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that forms in a vein. Usually this clot forms in the leg or pelvic veins. Symptoms of DVT's can vary from swelling in a particular region, sensitivity, and on some occasions, there may not be any clinical signs. in hospital patients who are immobile or undergo surgery and that are at increased risk for DVT's. Compression gear also reduces the risk of DVT's in a variety of other health and environmental conditions which include, but not limited to, long periods of being immobile, older age, illness and prolonged sitting.(2) These clots can become life threatening as they can travel to the lungs, potentially leading to a pulmonary embolism (PE) and death. (2,3) Dr. Beasley coined the term "e-thrombosis" hypothesizing that the increase in computer use for work and decreased physical activity would lead to an increase in DVT's and PE's brought on by immobility and prolonged sit time.(4) Fast forward to the present where esports and video game use has exploded at an astronomical rate, and Dr. Beasley's theory would be fortified by many case studies and clinical studies documenting computer use is a major contributor to DVT. There have been over 22 documented cases of DVT's brought on by excessive gaming in the past few years. (5) Although DVT's are not the norm, gamers have nearly double the risk of developing a thrombolytic event as compared to non-gamers.(6) A triad of physiological changes has been proposed that increase the risk of DVT. The first one is changes in blood flow, the second is changes in the blood itself, and lastly is the integrity of the endothelial lining of the blood vessels. Typically, when we are moving, skeletal muscle goes through contraction and relaxation to help pump blood throughout the body and against gravity. When in a sitting position the velocity of blood flow in the upwards direction (against gravity) is reduced. After 3 hours of uninterrupted prolonged sitting, femoral artery blood flow can decline up to 50%. (7,8) Even in children 7-10 years of age, femoral artery blood flow decreased by 33%.(9) This decreased blood flow disturbs homeostasis, can result in blood pooling in the lower extremities, creates procoagulant changes in the blood, endothelial activation and is the primary cause of DVT. Several studies have demonstrated that a 3 minute light walking break at 30 minutes can increase popliteal blood flow by up to 30% and improve cerebral blood flow.(10-12) In a recent study by the current author (DiFrancisco-Donoghue et al.), it was reported that the average collegiate gamer sits 4-8 hours daily while practicing their craft.(13) These extended hours of sitting and play time can vary extensively among recreational gamers as reported in table 1 by Lippi et al.(5) Based on these findings, the authors' current study observed a 6 minute walking break compared to a 6-minute resting break in prolonged gamers on cognitive function. This study was conducted virtually during the pandemic and currently under review. The 6-minute break was based on findings by Chrismas et al. who found a 3-minute walking break at 30 minutes improved attention and executive function.(12) Breaking up an esport game every 30 minutes is not reasonable, therefore we chose to break at 60 minutes of play using the cumulative time of 6 minutes. This study demonstrated an improvement in executive function in the 6-minute walking break compared to the resting break following prolonged game play. Due to the pandemic, since the investigators were unable to collect physiological data on participants, we are adapting the same protocol without testing executive function, but rather observing the physiological changes that occur from a walking break and from using compression wear. Athletes in various sports wear compression garments with the assumption that it will improve performance and facilitate muscle recovery. Most modern compression gear is marketed toward athletes use 'graduated compression'. This means that the highest amount of pressure is on the most distal parts of your body (e.g ankles if you are using lower body compression) and the pressure gradually reduces as it moves up toward your body. Compression wear varies in pressure range. The measurement is measured in mmHg and light compression can range from 18-21 mmHg, moderate 23-32 mmHg, strong 34-46 mmHg and \> 49 mmHg very strong. (14) Most over the counter athletic compression garments range from 18-21 mmHg. Twelve healthy collegiate esport players will be recruited for this pilot study. This study will be a randomized cross-over design trial which will require subjects to come to the NYIT esport gaming lab at least one hour post prandial for 3 testing days lasting 2.5 hours. The room will be kept temperature controlled for each subject and kept within 2-3 degrees Celsius each testing day. Subjects will sign a written consent and then rest quietly sitting in the gaming chair for 10 minutes. After the rest period, popliteal artery blood flow velocity, flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and shear rate will be assessed at rest using a doppler ultrasound bilaterally. Carotid artery blood flow will also be measured. Blood pressure and heart rate will be assessed. Testing day 1: Following the 10 minute rest/measurement phase, all subjects will play continuous for 2 hours on day one with no break. During the seated period measurements will be taken bilaterally at 30 minutes, 1 hour and 2 hours on the legs and the carotid artery. The popliteal artery is located behind the knee. The subjects will extend the leg slightly to allow the technician to take the measurements while remaining seated. The carotid artery is located laterally on the neck region. In the current study, the measurements will be conducted while seated by the radiology technician. Testing day 2: This study will use lower leg graduated compression garments with a compression between 20-30 mmHg. Each leg will be fitted according to manufacturer instructions. Following the resting measurements, subjects will be instructed to wear the garments and moved to the seated gaming position for 2 hours. During the seated period blood flow velocity, FMD and shear rate will be taken within the first 10 minutes upon sitting as well as 30 minutes, 1 hour and 2 hours on both compression legs and the carotid artery. Testing day 3: The 6-minute walk will be conducted indoors next to the esport lab in the Wisser library at NYIT, Old Westbury. Participants will be asked to walk for 6 minutes on a flat surface back and forth following one hour of game play. All blood flow measures will be taken prior to the subject standing and conducting the walk. An investigator will be timing them. Prior to the walk the participants will be shown the 6-20 BORG Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale (RPE) that will be held up by the investigators. This RPE is a validated scale to measure how hard a person feels they are working during physical activity and has been validated to correlate heart rate and perceived effort during active videogame play.(15) The subjects' heart rate will also be taken by brachial pulse prior to walking and following the 6-minute walk. Upon return to the gaming lab, all blood flow measurements will be repeated. The subjects will then play for another hour where all measurements will be repeated following the gaming session. Upon completion of testing on day 3, subjects will be given a short survey regarding their perceptions of wearing the compression garments.