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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0International Journal of Molecular Sciences

The Sedentary–Stress Paradox in Esports: Neuroendocrine, Metabolic, and Endothelial Pathways to Cardiovascular Risk

  • Amelia Tero-Vescan1
  • Ruxandra Ștefănescu2
  • Bianca Eugenia Ősz3
  • Mădălina Buț1
  • Amalia Pușcaș1
  • Ylenia Pastorello4
  • Mark Slevin5
5 affiliations
  1. 1Biochemistry Department, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Târgu Mureș, 38th Gh. Marinescu Street, 540139 Târgu Mureş, Romania
  2. 2Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy Department, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Târgu Mureș, 38th Gh. Marinescu Street, 540139 Târgu Mureş, Romania
  3. 3Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy Department, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Târgu Mureș, 38th Gh. Marinescu Street, 540139 Târgu Mureş, Romania
  4. 4Department of Anatomy and Embryology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Târgu Mureş, 540142 Târgu Mureş, Romania
  5. 5Center for Advanced Medical and Pharmaceutical Research, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Târgu Mureș, 38th Gh. Marinescu Street, 540139 Târgu Mureş, Romania
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Abstract

Esports and gaming resemble traditional sports and physical activity because both involve sustained cognitive and emotional stress; however, this stress occurs against a background of prolonged sedentary behavior. This narrative review examines the neuroendocrine, metabolic, and endothelial consequences of this “stress without movement” phenotype and its potential implications for long-term cardiovascular health. Activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and sympathetic nervous system disrupts sleep and circadian rhythms. Continuous neuroendocrine activation may impair muscle–adipose tissue crosstalk and nitric oxide-dependent endothelial function. Although direct longitudinal evidence linking gaming to cardiovascular disease is currently lacking, these convergent mechanisms identify prolonged sedentary gaming as a potential cardiovascular risk amplifier, particularly when combined with occupational sitting, sleep disruption, adiposity, and other cardiometabolic risk factors.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{terovescan2026sedentarystress,
  title = {{The Sedentary–Stress Paradox in Esports: Neuroendocrine, Metabolic, and Endothelial Pathways to Cardiovascular Risk}},
  author = {Amelia Tero-Vescan and Ruxandra Ștefănescu and Bianca Eugenia Ősz and Mădălina Buț and Amalia Pușcaș and Ylenia Pastorello and Mark Slevin},
  journal = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.3390/ijms27209365},
  url = {https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/20/9365},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - The Sedentary–Stress Paradox in Esports: Neuroendocrine, Metabolic, and Endothelial Pathways to Cardiovascular Risk
AU  - Amelia Tero-Vescan
AU  - Ruxandra Ștefănescu
AU  - Bianca Eugenia Ősz
AU  - Mădălina Buț
AU  - Amalia Pușcaș
AU  - Ylenia Pastorello
AU  - Mark Slevin
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/21
JO  - International Journal of Molecular Sciences
DO  - 10.3390/ijms27209365
UR  - https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/20/9365
AB  - Esports and gaming resemble traditional sports and physical activity because both involve sustained cognitive and emotional stress; however, this stress occurs against a background of prolonged sedentary behavior. This narrative review examines the neuroendocrine, metabolic, and endothelial consequences of this “stress without movement” phenotype and its potential implications for long-term cardiovascular health. Activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and sympathetic nervous system disrupts sleep and circadian rhythms. Continuous neuroendocrine activation may impair muscle–adipose tissue crosstalk and nitric oxide-dependent endothelial function. Although direct longitudinal evidence linking gaming to cardiovascular disease is currently lacking, these convergent mechanisms identify prolonged sedentary gaming as a potential cardiovascular risk amplifier, particularly when combined with occupational sitting, sleep disruption, adiposity, and other cardiometabolic risk factors.
SN  - 1422-0067
ER  -