Last week, Peter Ruddicks’ report (broadcast on BBC Breakfast with Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt) highlighted the future development in Sunderland by British Esports. The report was extremely interesting on many levels, as it highlighted how this innovative, and creative sector is fast developing. With the UK video games industry being a significant contributor to the UK economy, estimated to be worth over £7 billion, and in 2022, it accounted for 42.1% of total entertainment revenues. British Esports have now secured the multi-million-pound funding for their flagship 15,000 sq. ft. Gaming and e-sports Arena, set to open in early 2026.
The industry is very diverse, it isn’t solely about the games and gaming. Supporting the gamers is a wealth of professional careers, business opportunities, and creative opportunities that are intrinsic to the future of the industry. Such factors therefore make the sector a highly regarded, and in-demand option for so many people.
With the year on year growth, and continued success of the sector, it’s only right that those involved (either as organisers, developers, gaming teams, governing bodies) embrace, and actively engage with their corporate responsibility and duty of care to all areas of the industry.
With regards to this, RBR legflow are pleased to see that British Esports are proactive in this area, and, in fact run a free “Duty of Care” course. The course covers many areas like; safeguarding, on-line safety, cyber-crime, equality, diversity, and inclusion, mental health, and health and wellbeing.
As competitive eSports continues to grow in popularity, in the opinion of Paul Westerman (Director at RBR legflow), blood clots will increasingly be reported amongst gamers, as well as those in support roles (developers, testers, game and environment artists, sound engineers, game level engineers, game producers). Research shows that the majority of gamers play between 3 and 10 hours per day. In fact, given the number of continuous hours spent being sedentary, gamers have nearly double the risk of developing a DVT, which can become life-threatening.
So, all of the signs are positive? Yes? Well …….
Some recent news articles, as well as medical research papers have looked at the increasing threat of gaming induced thrombosis, or eThrombosis. This is the result of gamers quite simply being sedentary for too long, gaming. Our research, published by Professor Beasley, highlighted this serious issue back in 2003, a year before the first reported death of gaming thrombosis, or eThrombosis.
Professor Beasleys’ research showed that by being sedentary for only 90 minutes, lower limb venous blood flow will have decreased by over 50%, it is this factor of decreased lower limb blood flow, that causes a deep vein thrombosis to develop.
So, what has changed since 2003 when Professor Beasley and his team first identified the issue? Sadly, in our opinion, very little. But we fully recognise that organisations like British Esports are taking steps to address the issue.
Sadly, you just have to Google; “Gamer Dies of DVT”, and the results are worrying. eThrombosis doesn’t differentiate between professional gamers like eGamer and eSports commentator Geoff “iNControl” Robinson, he died in July 2019 at the age of 33 from a blood clot in his lungs. Six years earlier he had been hospitalised for a blood clot in his leg. Others like amateur gamers Chris Staniforth, who at the age of only 20 died from a blood-clot due to eGaming.
So, is there an answer to the threat. Paul Westerman says; “It’s firstly important that gamers, and the industry are aware of the threat. The main cause is simply being sedentary. Just 90 minutes of being sedentary, and we are all at risk of developing what could potentially become a deadly blood-clot. So, raising awareness of this is so important.
Next we have to look at the signs that can be present when a Deep Vein Thrombosis has developed.*
Awareness of the signs – seekHELP
Heat
Excessive redness
Localised swelling
Pain
Also; Get up, move around, get the blood flowing. Take a break…..
Then we need to look at prevention.
The RBR legflow™ a clinically researched, clinically trialled, medically proven, MHRA and GMDN approved medical device, should be an important part of any gamers’ gaming equipment, as it significantly reduces the threat of a Deep Vein Thrombosis ever developing.
The RBR legflow™ Increases the users’ lower limb venous blood-flow over 10-fold while the user is sedentary, this increase in lower limb blood flow significantly reduces the threat of a Deep Vein Thrombosis. Vitaly, this increase in lower limb venous blood flow happens naturally when the device is used. Also, it’s drug free, antimicrobial, lightweight, easy to use, and never requires any updates, or batteries, and is suitable for everyone to use.
With the eSports World Cup starting today, and after the recent report on BBC News, Paul felt it was important to do everything possible to start raising awareness, not only amongst the gamers, but amongst the governing bodies, and eSports organisers.
The RBR legflow™ awareness campaign #GameSafe is all about raising awareness, advising about the symptoms and signs of Deep Vein Thrombosis, and offering a solution to the problem.
For more information on the RBR legflow™ and the #GameSafe campaign, please email contact@rbrlegflow.com or phone Paul Westerman on +44(0)1223 955403
- Chris Staniforth, 20, dies from blood clot
- A man played video games nonstop for 73 hours. This is how his organs shut down
- Louis O’Neill, 24 O’Neill died on 3 June after forming a blood clot in his leg
- A 17-year-old had broken his leg, and was playing the game “Defence of the Ancients” and died later of a blood clot
- Gamer dies in internet café while playing game
- The first reported death from gaming thrombosis was in 2004
- PHIS Information System administrative database showed that from 2001 to 2007, adolescents who gamed regularly accounted for 30% of admissions for VTE
- On average between 60,000 and 100,000 in the US, die of thrombosis every year
- More than half of the patients identified in case reports were adolescents under 18 years of age
* It’s important to note that not all signs present, and in some instances, there may not be any sign –
seekHELP
#EsportsWorldCup #EWC2025 #Gaming #esports #Riyadh #eThrombosis #GameSafe #DVT