Breaking up prolonged sitting with a 6 min walk improves executive function in women and men esports players: a randomised trial

Abstract

ObjectiveThe effect of prolonged sitting on executive function and performance in competitive esports players are unknown. This study aimed to evaluate executive function following a 6 min bout of walking or rest during prolonged gaming in competitive esports players.Methods12 men and 9 women completed three separate 2-hour gaming session days assigned in randomised order consisting of a 6 min walk break, 6 min rest break and continuous before and after each session. Postintervention participant exit survey data were also collected.ResultsThe walk condition produced a significantly faster mean solution time (7613.6±3060.5 min, p=0.02) and planning time (5369.0±2802.09, p=0.04) compared with the resting condition (9477±3547.4; 6924±3247.7) and continuous play (8200.0±3031.6; 5862.7±2860.7). The rest condition resulted in the slowest mean solution time (9477.0±3547.4) and planning time (6924.0±3247.7), with the continuous play resulting in a faster mean solution time (8200.1±3031.6) and planning time (5862.7±2860.7) than the rest condition. There was no impact on game performance in any of the conditions. However, over 70% of participants felt that the walk break improved esports performance.ConclusionsReducing sit time and breaking up prolonged sitting have acute and chronic health benefits. This study provides evidence that a 6 min walking break in the middle of 2 hours of gameplay allows gamers to have these health benefits while improving processing speed and executive function.Trial registration numberNCT04674436.

Perceptions of Effective Training Practices in League of Legends: A Qualitative Exploration

“…For example, some participants recognized the need to focus on what was in their control and to engage in goal setting, which can play a key role in self-regulation and has been shown to be positively related to esports performance (Trotter et al, 2021). Furthermore, participants recognized the importance of a balanced lifestyle and the need for breaks, which aligns with the favorable associations between physical activity and cognitive function in esports players (Difrancisco-Donoghue et al, 2021) and rest and burnout in sport (Kellmann et al, 2018). While such approaches are considered by sports athletes to be beneficial and are common in sport psychology support for noncomputerized sport (Harmison, 2006), they were not common features of players' training regimes here (Theme 1).…”

Research Bites

“…Listen up, video gamers! In a recent study by DiFrancisco-Donoghue et al (5), a light-intensity 6-minute walking break after an intense hour-long session of competitive gaming was found to improve executive brain function and processing speed.…”

“…In the DiFrancisco-Donoghue et al (5) study, 21 experienced, first-person-shooter (FPS), competitive video gamers (12 men and 9 women, mean age of 20.76 years) participated virtually (due to COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020). Measurement occurred on three intermittent days of FPS gameplay, lasting 2 hours and 15 minutes each.…”

Stress Management Strategies in Esports: An Exploratory Online Survey on Applied Practice

“…This is supported by evidence that highlights the importance of social support (e.g., Hayward et al, 2017;Kristiansen & Roberts, 2010), as well communication (e.g., Falconier & Kuhn, 2019;Leis et al, 2022) on coping. Walking, on the other hand, has been associated with various health benefits and improved processing speed and executive function in competitive gamers (DiFrancisco-Donoghue et al, 2021) although evidence for the relationship between walking and anxiety, psychological stress, and well-being is limited (e.g., Kelly et al, 2018). By contrast, stress management strategies such as journaling (e.g., Smyth, 1998) have not been reported in previous qualitative research on esports to date.…”