2024-11-20T15:32:08 n21808

Role of a 10-Week Exercise Intervention on Cerebral Hemoglobin Saturation, Cognitive Function, and Heart Rate Variability Within Elite Esports Players: A Pilot Study

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Introduction: Esports demand peak cognitive performance from esports athletes (e-athletes), yet their sedentary lifestyle raises concerns.  This pilot study explores the effects of aerobic exercise on executive function, cerebral hemodynamics, and heart rate variability (HRV) during gameplay.

Methods: Six high-ranking male e-athletes (20.8 ± 2.1 years old), ranking in the top 10% of their game, were recruited.  Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy measured cerebral hemodynamics, cognitive tests assessed executive function, and electrocardiography measured HRV.  Individualised exercise intensities were set through graded exercise testing, followed by a 10-week treadmill-based cardiovascular training program.

Results: Postintervention, weight, and body mass index remained unchanged (p > .05), but the graded exercise test and heart rate deflection point significantly improved (p < .05). Executive function displayed faster reaction times in the Color Word Stroop Task, and notably more accurate responses in the Parametric Go/No-Go tasks (p < .05), with large effect sizes. Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy revealed decreased oxygenated hemoglobin levels during rest, with moderate to large effect sizes, while HRV variables showed significant increases with large effect sizes.

Conclusions: This pilot study introduces a 10-week exercise regimen for e-athletes, suggesting positive impacts on cerebral hemodynamics, executive functions, and HRV, warranting further research.

Geographical area of data collection

kmlPolyCoords
153.030061,-27.477379

Publications

Nicholson, Mitchell, Poulus, Dylan, Johnston, Daniel, Robergs, Rob, Kelly, Vince, & McNulty, Craig (2024) Role of a 10-Week Exercise Intervention on Cerebral Hemoglobin Saturation, Cognitive Function, and Heart Rate Variability Within Elite Esports Players: A Pilot Study. Journal of Electronic Gaming and Esports, 2(1), Article number: jege.2024-0007. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/251763/

Research areas

Neurophysiology
Training
Physical exercise
Video game
Aerobic capacity

Cite this collection

Poulus, Dylan; Johnson, Daniel; Kelly, Vincent; Robergs, Rob; McNulty, Craig; (2024): Role of a 10-Week Exercise Intervention on Cerebral Hemoglobin Saturation, Cognitive Function, and Heart Rate Variability Within Elite Esports Players: A Pilot Study. Journal of Electronic Gaming and esports. (Dataset) https://doi.org/10.25912/RDF_1732075369419

Data file types

Microsoft Excel (.xlsx)

Licence

All rights reserved.

Copyright

© Queensland University of Technology, 2024.

Dates of data collection

From 2022 to 2023

Contacts

Name: Mr Mitchell Nicholson

Other

Date record created:
2024-09-09T13:42:09
Date record modified:
2024-11-20T15:32:08
Record status:
Published - Open Access