Esports Players
Conditions
Brief summary
This study aims to investigate the long-term effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on esports performance through a 12-week three-arm randomized controlled trial, and to examine the sustainability of these effects during a follow-up period after intervention cessation. Additionally, we seek to compare the differential impacts of these two exercise modalities on various dimensions of esports performance, thereby providing evidence-based guidance for esports training regimens and enhancing our understanding of the underlying mechanisms by which different exercise approaches influence cognitive and motor capabilities essential for competitive gaming.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALHIIT
A 12-week home-based HIIT exercise plan (running). Duration: Each session consists of 10 x 1-minute high-intensity bouts interspersed with 10 x 1-minute recovery periods. Adding the 3-minute warmup and 3-minute cool-down, each session totals approximately 26 minutes. This protocol is followed for 12 weeks. Intensity: High-intensity bouts are performed at 80-90% of HRmax (RPE 15-18). Recovery periods are at 40-50% of HRmax (RPE 11-13). Warm-up and cool-down are at 50% HRmax (RPE 11-13). Modality: Running, jogging, or brisk walking, either on a treadmill or outdoors. Supervision: The first three sessions are supervised in a laboratory setting. Subsequent sessions are unsupervised and performed at home with heart rate monitoring and remote data tracking via Polar Flow for Coach.
BEHAVIORALMICT
A 12-week home-based MICT exercise plan (running). Duration: Each session consists of 20 minutes of continuous exercise. Including the 3-minute warm-up and 3-minute cool-down, each session totals 26 minutes. This protocol is followed for 12 weeks. Intensity: Exercise is performed at 64-76% of HRmax (RPE 12-14). Warm-up and cool-down are at 50% HRmax (RPE 11-13). Modality: Running, jogging, or brisk walking, either on a treadmill or outdoors. Supervision: The first three sessions are supervised in a laboratory setting. Subsequent sessions are unsupervised and performed at home with heart rate monitoring and remote data tracking via Polar Flow for Coach.
Sponsors
Ma Ruisi
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
1. 18-29 years old; 2. regular FPS players engaging in shooters within the past six months; 3. healthy individuals who are capable of physical tests or HIIT; 4. no regular exercise habits; 5. can understand English or Chinese.
Exclusion criteria
1. self-reported history of neurological, psychiatric, or medical diseases; 2. current intake of medications and/or recreational drugs that could affect the central nervous system and/or the ability to learn; 3. not a regular user of Aim Lab.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Esports performance | Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 12-week intervention completion | Measured by Aim Lab (Online shooting program) and esports-related mental quality questionnaire. |
Other
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Core strength | Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 12-week intervention completion | Plank test (measured in second) |
| VO2max | Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 12-week intervention completion | Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run 20-m (measured in laps) |
| Handgrip | Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 12-week intervention completion | Handgrip dynamometer (measured in kilograms) |
| Agility | Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 12-week intervention completion | Agility T-test (measured in second) |
| Flexibility | Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 12-week intervention completion | Sit and Reach Test |
| Body composition (measured in centimeter) | Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 12-week intervention completion | Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) device (MC-780MA) |
| Balance | Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 12-week intervention completion | Unipedal stance test (measured in second) |
| Sleep Quality | Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 12-week intervention completion | Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) (scored from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating worse sleep quality) |
| Total Energy Intake | Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 12-week intervention completion | Daily caloric intake measured by a validated 3-day food diary (measured in kilocalories/day) |
| Carbohydrate Intake | Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 12-week intervention completion | Daily carbohydrate consumption measured by validated 3-day food diary (measured in grams/day) |
| Fat Intake | Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 12-week intervention completion | Daily fat consumption measured by a validated 3-day food diary (measured in grams/day) |
| Protein Intake | Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 12-week intervention completion | Daily protein consumption measured by a validated 3-day food diary (measured in grams/day) |
| Affect | Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 12-week intervention completion | Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), a 20-item scale measuring both positive affect (10 items) and negative affect (10 items).Two separate scores calculated: positive affect score (range: 10-50, higher scores indicate higher positive affect) and negative affect score (range: 10-50, higher scores indicate higher negative affect) |
| Physical Activity Level | Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 12-week intervention completion | International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) long form (measured in MET-minutes/week, range: 0 to no upper limit, with higher scores indicating higher levels of physical activity) |
Contacts
Primary ContactDi TANG, PHD
Outcome results
None listed