Prevalence of Neuromuscular Pain and Injuries in Recreational Computer Gamers

Background: Recreational computer gaming has become a dominant leisure activity among young adults, yet its musculoskeletal and neuromuscular health consequences remain underexplored compared to professional e‑sports. Prolonged static postures, repetitive fine motor actions, and inadequate ergonomic practices may predispose gamers to pain and injuries. Objective: To determine the prevalence, risk factors, and impact of neuromuscular pain and injuries among recreational personal computer (PC) gamers aged 18–30 years. Methods: A cross‑sectional observational study was conducted over six months using an online self‑structured questionnaire. A total of 123 recreational PC gamers were recruited via snowball sampling. Data on demographics, gaming exposure, ergonomic practices, pain characteristics, and functional impact were collected. Descriptive statistics summarized prevalence patterns, while chi‑square tests assessed associations between pain severity and selected variables (p < 0.05). Results: Participants had a mean age of 23.36 ± 2.91 years; 67% were male. Overall, 51.2% reported neuromuscular pain, most frequently in the neck (54%), lower back (34%), and eyes (32%). Pain severity was predominantly mild (49%), though 12% reported severe or very severe symptoms. Significant associations were observed between pain severity and weekly gaming exposure (χ² = 20.59, p = 0.05), daily exposure (χ² = 12.10, p = 0.04), and posture adjustment frequency (χ² = 17.16, p = 0.02). Despite recurring pain, only 22% sought medical attention, while many relied on self‑management strategies such as ice/heat therapy or physiotherapy. Conclusion: Recreational PC gamers demonstrate a high prevalence of mild to moderate neuromuscular pain, strongly influenced by gaming duration, posture, and ergonomic practices. Underutilization of healthcare services highlights the need for awareness campaigns, ergonomic interventions, and preventive physiotherapy strategies to mitigate gaming‑related health risks in young adults. KEYWORDS: Recreational computer gaming, Neuromuscular pain, Musculoskeletal injuries, Ergonomics, Posture.