Bridging the Gap: The Impact of a Comprehensive Occupational Therapy Upper Extremity Protocol on Performance and Longevity in Professional eSports Athletes

Speakers:

• Justin Rosenberg, OTD
• Holly Hussey, OTD, OTR/L, CHT

Learner Outcomes:

1. By the end of this presentation, participants will be able to defend the distinct value of proactive occupational therapy interventions over reactive medical models by articulating how physical protocols address health inequities in competitive gaming.
2. By the end of this presentation, participants will be able to adapt an evidence-based esports upper extremity protocol to implement preventative, scalable wellness programs for corporate and administrative populations experiencing chronic computer use and sedentary desk strain.
3. By the end of this presentation, participants will be able to construct a graded resistance and stretching circuit that demonstrates how progressive upper extremity exercise directly enhances in-game performance metrics and physical endurance.

Abstract:

The rapid evolution of electronic sports (esports) into a multi-million-dollar global ecosystem has outpaced the development of specialized healthcare infrastructures, creating a critical equity gap in preventative medical care for competitive gamers. Esports athletes endure rigorous daily training regimens that require prolonged, highly repetitive keyboard and mouse interactions, inducing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis. Up to 70% of esports athletes report upper extremity pain, particularly in the wrist (36%) and hand (32%), which ultimately leads to early career retirement. This quasi-experimental capstone project investigated the effects of a comprehensive upper extremity occupational therapy (OT) intervention protocol on physical comfort, injury rates, and in-game performance metrics among collegiate esports athletes. Conducted in partnership with the Paradise Valley Community College esports program, the study utilized an 8-week timeline tracking rostered players who played at least 4 hours per day, two days a week. Weeks 1–4 served as a non-intervention control phase to establish baseline training routines, followed by an active, bi-weekly clinical OT protocol during Weeks 4–8. The reproducible pre-gaming intervention consisted of four distinct phases: neural mobilization targeting the median, radial, and ulnar nerve pathways; twice-weekly Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) from proximal muscles to distal intrinsic hand muscles; a targeted proximal-to-distal stretching routine; and a graded forearm, wrist, and hand resistance strengthening circuit. Outcomes were evaluated using psychometrically validated structures, specifically comparing post-intervention to control metrics via the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) index and Diagno Aim Trainer metrics. By establishing an evidence-based clinical framework, this project demonstrates the distinct value of occupational therapy in emerging digital industries and provides a scalable methodology to bridge the gap between competitive esports performance and athletic longevity.

 

 

Biography of Speaker(s):

Justin Rosenberg, OTD, graduated with his Occupational Therapy Doctorate from Huntington University in August of 2026, specializing in human performance optimization and physical longevity. Drawing on a unique background as a former competitive gamer and an active Strongman athlete, Justin combines firsthand knowledge of high-level digital mechanics with an understanding of physical conditioning and upper-extremity biomechanics.

His doctoral capstone project focused on "Bridging the Gap Between Occupational Therapy and Esports." Through this research, he designed and implemented an evidence-based upper-extremity protocol for high-end and professional gamers, using targeted exercises and Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) to mitigate repetitive strain injuries and enhance in-game performance.

As an emerging clinician, Justin is dedicated to establishing proactive, preventative healthcare models in non-traditional, digital spaces. Moving forward, he intends to pursue certification as a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT), Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), and Graston Technique Specialist (GTS), focusing his career on advanced upper extremity rehabilitation for both digital and traditional athletes.

 

References to Support Evidence-Based Practice:

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