Atividade física, nível do sono e tempo de tela em jogadores casuais de jogos eletrônicos

Abstract

Background: Video games are a popular form of electronic entertainment, with a steady growth and presence in people's daily lives worldwide. However, excessive use of inactive gaming can lead to sedentary behavior, weight gain, sleep-related problems, and health risks such as metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. Objective: The research aimed to answer the research question: What is the relationship between sleep habits, physical activity, and screen time of casual gamers? Thus, the objective was to describe the daily life of casual gamers of non-active games, sleep patterns, and physical activity practice. Methods: Quantitative observational study with questionnaire application using Google Forms from April to June 2023. Results: A total of 121 questionnaires were administered. 87,4% of the participants were male; 57,8% reported working in a seated position; 93,3% of the gamers used a computer for gaming; most engaged in at least 10 minutes of continuous walking during the week, but few engaged in moderate or vigorous physical activity; 22,7% reported occasional difficulty falling asleep; 31,1% stated that they rarely wake up in the middle of the night and struggle to fall back asleep; 60,5% of the participants experienced some degree of morning fatigue; data on screen time were insufficient. Conclusion: The research results indicate a relationship between time spent on video games, sedentary behavior, screen exposure, and potential negative impacts on sleep.