Ulnar neuropathy at the elbow in male mobile esports athletes: clinical, electrophysiological, and ergonomic correlates

Background: Competitive mobile esports participation is predominantly male and involves prolonged elbow flexion, repetitive finger movements, and sustained extremity loading. These exposures may predispose men to ulnar neuropathy at the elbow; however, electrophysiological evidence remains limited. This study aimed to examine the clinical and electrophysiological characteristics of ulnar neuropathy in male mobile esports athletes and evaluate associations with gaming exposure and ergonomic factors. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 50 male mobile esports athletes with ≥2 years of gaming experience underwent standardized clinical evaluation and ulnar nerve motor conduction studies. Participants were classified as clinically positive (n = 35) or clinically negative (n = 15) based on combined symptom and provocation test criteria. Group comparisons were performed using independent-samples t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests, and categorical variables were analyzed using chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with ulnar nerve elbow motor conduction velocity. Results: Clinically positive athletes showed significantly prolonged distal motor latency, reduced motor conduction velocity across the elbow, and higher conduction block (all p < 0.05). Daily and weekly gaming durations were significantly greater in the clinically positive group (both p < 0.01). In regression analysis, lack of elbow support (β = −0.52), elbow flexion >90◦ (β = −0.44), and daily gaming duration (β = −0.34) were significantly associated with reduced elbow motor conduction velocity (all p < 0.001; R2 ≈ 0.42). Conclusions: Findings consistent with ulnar nerve involvement were observed at both clinical and electrophysiological levels in male mobile esports athletes. Higher gaming exposure and selected ergonomic factors—particularly lack of elbow support and sustained elbow flexion—were associated with differences in elbow-level motor conduction parameters. These findings may inform future research on screening approaches and ergonomic assessment strategies in this population; however, given the cross-sectional design, causal relationships cannot be established.

Ulnar neuropathy at the elbow; Mobile esports; Electromyography; Gaming exposure; Peripheral neuropathy

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