WED-075 - Discourse of Healthy Gaming: Evaluation of Health Education Delivery for Esports Athletes

Brief Abstract Summary: Gaining insight on the effectiveness and implementation of a sleep health education program tailored for collegiate esports athletes, this study compares three delivery methods: in-person sessions, Discord-based digital delivery, and passive messaging. The study assesses key constructs—compatibility, usability, engagement, and appropriateness—using both descriptive statistics and ANOVA to analyze differences across groups. Results indicate that the in-person group rated highest in all constructs, though Discord format showed strong potential, particularly in usability and appropriateness, despite engagement being lower compared to in-person delivery. Overall, findings suggest the need for tailored, interactive educational delivery for esports athletes, with potential for future blended in-person and digital approaches. Recognizing these critical aspects of health education delivery is imperative for the health of esports athletes and grants insight into digital health delivery.

Detailed abstract description: The study's findings hold significant implications for educators, collegiate student athletes, health professionals, and esports athletes. By comparing three delivery methods—traditional in-person sessions, Discord-based digital education, and passive messaging—the study provides concrete evidence on what educational formats resonate most effectively with esports athletes. While in-person sessions were shown to be highly engaging and relevant, the Discord-based digital format demonstrated strong usability and appropriateness, underscoring its potential as a flexible, accessible option for online delivery. This insight is particularly valuable in esports, where online engagement is common, but few studies have examined how these platforms can be leveraged for health education. Knowing which formats promote better engagement and information retention allows stakeholders to make data-informed decisions that ensure health education aligns with the specific preferences and needs of esports athletes.
Attending a presentation on this study provides an insightful and valuable opportunity to explore evidence-based approaches to health education within esports -- a field that has seen immense growth but limited research on athlete well-being. Attendees will gain insights into why sleep health is so critical for performance while gaining an invaluable understanding of implementing program delivery to this unique population. Process evaluation, a unique feature of this study, offers further depth by assessing the implementation and perceived relevance of each delivery method. This approach reveals not only which methods work best but also why they work, capturing the athletes' perspectives on usability, compatibility, engagement, and appropriateness. This emphasis on implementation and participant experience makes the study's findings practical and applicable for wider application of online health education – thus guiding future program design and allowing stakeholders to tailor content more effectively. For example, those involved in developing esports health programs or online program development in general can draw on these insights to create engaging and relevant educational experiences, even when working within digital-only or remote formats.
For esports teams, clubs, and collegiate programs, such insights could lead to more impactful and engaging health programming, fostering a healthier, more sustainable approach to competition and training. By attending, participants will not only better understand the specific health needs of esports athletes but will also leave with actionable knowledge on delivering effective health education within esports and beyond. This study is a timely exploration of how targeted, well-implemented health interventions can empower athletes to prioritize their health, leading to enhanced performance and well-being in this unique and growing field.