Physiological health benefits
In the Handbook of Computer Game Studies, Mark Griffiths analyzes the therapeutic value of video games. He explains that playing video games benefits a variety of groups. An example is a study where patients receive occupational therapy in increasing hand strength by doing “three-minute exercise periods on computer games”. The study showed that the patients were able to increase hand strength by repeatedly doing these exercises, showing video games can provide physiological benefits. Looking at a different group, Griffiths analyzed a different study that looked at physiological benefits video games have on the elderly. The elderly played video games for an eleven weeks. Afterwards, the elderly found an increase in reaction times. This reveals that video games can affect many people. Therefore, these results suggest that competitive gamers also find physiological benefits when they perform.
Cognitive benefits
Also in the Handbook of Computer Game Studies, Sandra L. Calvert, a professor in the Department of Psychology at Georgetown University, analyzes the cognitive benefits of computer games. She argues that frequently playing video games can help develop visual-spatial skills, the ability to mentally construct and manipulate a map of one’s surroundings, in order to solve problems. In a study conducted in 1994, psychologists Greenfield, Brannon and Lohr, college students had to play a game where they must navigate through a three-dimensional space from a two-dimensional representation. This task seems difficult, as it can be disorienting to navigate through such a game. Afterwards, the students had to complete a mental paper-folding exercise that tested their visual-spatial skills. The study found that those who were more proficient at playing the game were also more proficient at performing the mental task than those who weren’t as successful at playing the game. These results suggest that playing video games frequently is effective at developing visual-spatial skills. Thus, the results also suggest that competitive gamers also develop visual-spatial skills when they compete, given the complexity of their games. Therefore, the results of the study that Calvert analyzed suggest that competitive gaming not only provides physiological benefits, but it helps to develop cognitive skills as well.
Social benefits
Competitive gaming can provide even more health benefits, socially and mentally. In a 2013 study, scientists Kyle Faust, Joseph Meyer, and Mark Griffiths also analyze the benefits that playing video games can provide. They analyzed a series of studies conducted by Greitemeyer and Osswald in 2010 that found that players “who engaged in playing video games promoting prosocial behaviors were more likely to engage in helping behaviors in real-life events”. Prosocial behaviors are defined as actions that are intended to help others. Competitive gaming is known for this since teamwork is important. Players must work together in order to achieve a common goal, which promotes the prosocial behaviors that were mentioned in the study. Therefore, the results of the studies suggest that competitive gamers benefit socially when they compete.