Are Gamers Athletes

[deathblooms2k4]

This is interesting. I lean a bit toward yes because personally I believe to play at your full potential you need to take really good care of your body as well.

I'm not going to throw anyone under the bus, but there's pretty clear evidence to the contrary. There are a number of players who have won majors, consistently place top 8 and are by and large considered top players in the community who clearly do not treat their bodies well. I agree with those who closely associate it with chess and the like.

 

[Euphoric]

Give this community a REAL incentive. Watch what happens to the skill gap btw pros and amat players. Top players will train so hard and have a real reason to. events with corp backing and large prize pots. not grass root events/evo where you beat 1600 people and get a few thousand bucks.

if it is not a sport... it has all the parts to become one. it just needs incentive and real events.

The question if gamers are athletes is not Fighting Game exclusive, what you mentioned has already happened and has been happening in other communities. League of Legends players being the flagship contender of being "athletes", and my answer and many others would still be no.

They're competitors sure, but not athletes.

 

[iloveTSA]

Yes, well if you live in South Korea that is:
http://www.eventhubs.com/news/2014/apr/04/pro-gaming-now-considered-sport-one-south-koreas-top-universities-thinks-so-and-now-accepting-gamers-student-athletes/

 

[Tony at Home]

It's not an athletic activity unless it demands a significant physical change to your body in order to perform.

I'm a runner- I have to keep a certain weight, eat a certain diet, have certain muscles stronger than normal, and have a lung capacity above average. Hence running is an athletic activity.

Competitive gaming shouldn't be denigrated just because it isn't an athletic activity- same with Chess or any other mental-sport. But it certainly doesn't mean it can classify as an athletic activity, and therefore the participants cannot consider themselves athletes just by that.

 

[WayoftheFist]

I'm not going to throw anyone under the bus, but there's pretty clear evidence to the contrary. There are a number of players who have won majors, consistently place top 8 and are by and large considered top players in the community who clearly do not treat their bodies well. I agree with those who closely associate it with chess and the like.

Without naming names I would say those players are in the minority. I'm not talking about being a body builder here I'm talking about taking care of the machine that supports your mind. I also said peak performance not good performance. Your execution character and matchup knowledge is one component, mental toughness and psychology is another (whether people realize it or not what to do with a tough loss in tournament to come back from it isn't easy for everyone), and I believe taking care of your body is another. The studies are out there for mental performance linked to physical condition so it's impossible to convince me that even if a player is great without being in good condition that they would not be better in good condition.

 

[RiBBz22]

No, gamers are not athletes even at the highest level and that is not a knock against gamers. Just because you compete at something doesn't make you an althlete...and that is OK... It isn't like non athletic competition isn't or shouldn't be respected.

Any type of competition athletic or not is going to require incredible skill at the highest level. The debate on labeling competitions and their competitive body as athletic or not comes down to people being generally butthurt in thinking that since people don't consider gaming "athletic"....that they in turn don't respect the skill and time investment to be the best.

 

[PLAYING TO WIN]

It's not an athletic activity unless it demands a significant physical change to your body in order to perform.

I'm a runner- I have to keep a certain weight, eat a certain diet, have certain muscles stronger than normal, and have a lung capacity above average. Hence running is an athletic activity.

Competitive gaming shouldn't be denigrated just because it isn't an athletic activity- same with Chess or any other mental-sport. But it certainly doesn't mean it can classify as an athletic activity, and therefore the participants cannot consider themselves athletes just by that.

I wrestled... So I understand significant change. I still fell this can be considered a sport.

If u want to really dig into it... It requires mental stamina. Can u tell me the physiology of your brain going through a strenuous mental activity? Ever study for hours on end? How do u feel?

Playing devils advocate. Good question though.

 

[Under_The_Mayo]

We are competitors, not athletes. Just like chess players are not athletes, gamers are not athletes. But it doesn't take away from the legitimacy of the sport.

 

[Matix218]

Gamers are athletes if they participate in athletic activities.

Example, I'm a gamer who is also an athlete (I play ice hockey)

They are not athletes from being gamers though that is absurd. E sports does not make you an athlete. Chess professionals are not athletes. Poker professionals are not athletes. All of those are in the same vein imo

 

[RiBBz22]

I wrestled... So I understand significant change. I still fell this can be considered a sport.

If u want to really dig into it... It requires mental stamina. Can u tell me the physiology of your brain going through a strenuous mental activity? Ever study for hours on end? How do u feel?

Playing devils advocate. Good question though.

So college students are athletes now? Dude, not being an athlete is not a knock. People need to get over this. Competitions can be respected and be non-athletic. With this mentality we can almost call anyone an athlete.

Wow that guy is awesome at drawing. Do you know how hard he concentrates to make those pictures?? He just entered a best illustration competition with a bunch of other athletes like him.

 

[MidTierHarley]

I wouldn't exactly call a group of overweight neckbeards athletes.

Neckbeards lolol GLs mobility

 

[Eric The Scruffy]

I voted yes, but obviously there's a disclaimer. Is the average gamer an athlete? Hell no. Would a proffesional competitive videogame player be one? Absolutely. I would argue that mental athleticism is most definitely a thing.

 

[Matix218]

I voted yes, but obviously there's a disclaimer. Is the average gamer an athlete? Hell no. Would a proffesional competitive videogame player be one? Absolutely. I would argue that mental athleticism is most definitely a thing.

I respectfully disagree

I think athlete really refers to physical abilities.

Competitive gaming is ABSOLUTELY a difficult skill/talent but I dont agree that it qualifies as an athletic activity

But your shirts are still awesome

 

[TurboTaco]

I voted yes, but obviously there's a disclaimer. Is the average gamer an athlete? Hell no. Would a proffesional competitive videogame player be one? Absolutely. I would argue that mental athleticism is most definitely a thing.

Do you consider chess players to be athletes as well? What about spelling bee competitors?

 

[Crathen]

Gamers in general are not athletes , comparing FGs / RTS / shooters to chess when there is a physical ( mostly dexterity-wise ) execution barrier puts it in a different spot from poker or whatever you can say , imo it's a middle ground sport where you do need both execution and mindset.

Tbh it's not a fair comparison at all.

 

[Euphoric]

I wrestled... So I understand significant change. I still fell this can be considered a sport.

If u want to really dig into it... It requires mental stamina. Can u tell me the physiology of your brain going through a strenuous mental activity? Ever study for hours on end? How do u feel?

Playing devils advocate. Good question though.

Ok, than students who are involved in studies that requires rigorous amount of mental capacity are athletes too.

 

[Eric The Scruffy]

I respectfully disagree

I think athlete really refers to physical abilities.

Competitive gaming is ABSOLUTELY a difficult skill/talent but I dont agree that it qualifies as an athletic activity

But your shirts are still awesome

Do you consider chess players to be athletes as well? What about spelling bee competitors?

I most definitely consider high level chess players to be athletes. Mind you I also think that competitive eaters are athletes as well.....even though I find it disgusting.

I personally think there's just a disconnect between what athleticism and sports currently encompass and what the traditional definition has refereed to. I'm liberal like that. I think any competitive activity that requires a highly developed and trained set of skills or talents can easily fall under the category of "sport" or "athleticism".

 

[Euphoric]

I for one do not think Video Gaming is related to athleticism because you don't need to set out specific time out of your day to condition and train your brain to be in tip top shape for your next "tournament", or follow a nutritional plan so your brain doesn't get 'physically' out of shape, as athletes do for sports.

Athletes have to specifically train their bodies to withstand the demanding physical activity that is required from being involved in a sport.

The only time you use your mental stamina as a gamer, is ONLY when you're playing video games, there aren't any other things you need to do.

Athletes do not magically just continue to stay in tip top shape only when they play 6 months in their season, or that one boxing match they do, they have to consistently be in top form outside of the sport itself.

Please, don't tell me you wake up each day and do reaction exercises, so you're reactions are on point for the next tournament season.

 

[Matix218]

Athlete definition:
A person possessing the natural or acquired traits, such as strength, agility, and endurance, that are necessary for physical exercise or sports, especially those performed in competitive contexts.

I guess technically if you consider e sports to be "sports" you are correct. I lean more toward the physical end of the definition but technically you could argue you are correct

Edit: I hate posting from Android on TYM.. Especially when pasting something

quote="Eric Z19, post: 1319369, member: 16689"]I most definitely consider high level chess players to be athletes. Mind you I also think that competitive eaters are athletes as well.....even though I find it disgusting.

I personally think there's just a disconnect between what athleticism and sports currently encompass and what the traditional definition has refereed to. I'm liberal like that. I think any competitive activity that requires a highly developed and trained set of skills or talents can easily fall under the category of "sport" or "athleticism".[/quote]

 

[VenomX-90]

I cant tell if all these reponses are sarcasm or real shit. IMO No.

 

[Matix218]

If you twist the definition of athlete to allow for video games to be considered an athletic activity, you would also have to say that playing Settlers of Catan or Magic the Gathering competitively makes you an athlete. Chutes and Ladders, Pop-o-Matic Trouble, Battleship, Candyland...now all of the people who play those with someone else competitively can be considered athletes. Unless we are going to agree that anyone who has ever done anything in a competitive environment is an "athlete" (which I believe is ridiculous) I think we have to agree that gamers DO NOT qualify.

 

[Dirtylova]

@EGP Wonder_Chef Like I told you years ago.... LOL no. Gamers are not athletes, they're more like mathletes Keepo

 

[Eric The Scruffy]

I for one do not think Video Gaming is related to athleticism because you don't need to set out specific time out of your day to condition and train your brain to be in tip top shape for your next "tournament", or follow a nutritional plan so your brain doesn't get 'physically' out of shape, as athletes do for sports.

Athletes have to specifically train their bodies to withstand the demanding physical activity that is required from being involved in a sport.

The only time you use your mental stamina as a gamer, is ONLY when you're playing video games, there aren't any other things you need to do.

Athletes do not magically just continue to stay in tip top shape only when they play 6 months in their season, or that one boxing match they do, they have to consistently be in top form outside of the sport itself.

Please, don't tell me you wake up each day and do reaction exercises, so you're reactions are on point for the next tournament season.

Do I? No. Do most gamers? No. I've heard in interviews however that a number of professional gamers do exactly all of the above however.

 

[VenomX-90]

If you twist the definition of athlete to allow for video games to be considered an athletic activity, you would also have to say that playing Settlers of Catan or Magic the Gathering competitively makes you an athlete. Chutes and Ladders, Pop-o-Matic Trouble, Battleship, Candyland...now all of the people who play those with someone else competitively can be considered athletes. Unless we are going to agree that anyone who has ever done anything in a competitive environment is an "athlete" (which I believe is ridiculous) I think we have to agree that gamers DO NOT qualify.

As much as I love gaming and that is my number #1 hobby, I have to agree with you on that.

 

[Dirtylova]

I wrestled... So I understand significant change. I still fell this can be considered a sport.

If u want to really dig into it... It requires mental stamina. Can u tell me the physiology of your brain going through a strenuous mental activity? Ever study for hours on end? How do u feel?

Playing devils advocate. Good question though.

Then would you say that Gamestop is an athletic store, for gamers?

Come on bro. I played sports as well, all through grade and high school.. The difference between gaming and playing foot/basket/base/ ball is like night and day. By definition, playing video games is not a sport whatsoever.