Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation: Augmenting the Training and Performance Potential in Esports Players

Zhuang, Wei; Yin, Keyi; Zi, Yahua; Liu, Yu

doi:10.3390/brainsci10070454

Cited by 10 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 74 publications

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“…Non-invasive Brain Stimulation (NIBS) is a potential tool for enhancing neurocognition in eSports athletes ( Zhuang et al, 2020 ; Machado et al, 2021 ). NIBS includes a group of neuromodulation techniques that has been developed over the last three decades to modulate brain activity, as well as relevant cognitive and motor functions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although neuromodulation via non-invasive brain stimulation has been proposed as a performance-enhancing tool in eSports, still only few respective studies are available, and only one study reported an improving effect of tDCS on digital game performance ( Zhuang et al, 2020 ; Friehs et al, 2021 ). In the current study, based on knowledge about the involvement of alpha activity and synchronization of the right hemispheric frontoparietal network, we hypothesized that strengthening of respective alpha activity via tACS will improve visual attention performance, and that for this improvement synchronization of frontal and parietal network components is required in eSports players.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Application of transcranial alternating current stimulation to improve eSports-related cognitive performance

Jiao,

Zhuang,

Nitsche

et al. 2024

Front. Neurosci.

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IntroductionElectronic Sports (eSports) is a popular and still emerging sport. Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) and First/Third Person Shooting Games (FPS/TPS) require excellent visual attention abilities. Visual attention involves specific frontal and parietal areas, and is associated with alpha coherence. Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is a principally suitable tool to improve cognitive functions by modulation of regional oscillatory cortical networks that alters regional and larger network connectivity.MethodsIn this single-blinded crossover study, 27 healthy college students were recruited and exposed to 10 Hz tACS of the right frontoparietal network. Subjects conducted a Visual Spatial Attention Distraction task in three phases: T0 (pre-stimulation), T1 (during stimulation), T2 (after-stimulation), and an eSports performance task which contained three games (“Exact Aiming,” “Flick Aiming,” “Press Reaction”) before and after stimulation.ResultsThe results showed performance improvements in the “Exact Aiming” task and hint for a prevention of reaction time performance decline in the “Press Reaction” task in the real, as compared to the sham stimulation group. We also found a significant decrease of reaction time in the visual spatial attention distraction task at T1 compared to T0 in the real, but not sham intervention group. However, accuracy and inverse efficiency scores (IES) did not differ between intervention groups in this task.DiscussionThese results suggest that 10 Hz tACS over the right frontal and parietal cortex might improve eSports-related skill performance in specific tasks, and also improve visual attention in healthy students during stimulation. This tACS protocol is a potential tool to modulate neurocognitive performance involving tracking targets, and might be a foundation for the development of a new concept to enhance eSports performance. This will require however proof in real life scenarios, as well optimization.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of transcranial alternating current stimulation to improve eSports-related cognitive performance

Jiao,

Zhuang,

Nitsche

et al. 2024

Front. Neurosci.

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“…Esports players need to have fine motor skills. In particular, they use fingers and cognitive abilities to manipulate digital activities in virtual environments 3) .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of performance of key hits using input data, electromyography, and video analysis

Okinaka

Wada

2023

JPFSM

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Esports players often use the fingers on their left hand to produce quick key hits on keyboards. It is unknown whether such hits can be a burden on fingers or cause overuse injuries. Numerous studies have focused on key hits; however, those studies have primarily focused on speed. Therefore, in this study, we evaluate rapid key hits using a combination of input data, video data, and surface electromyography (EMG) for fingers that are not accustomed to moving rapidly. Ten male subjects were asked to repeatedly hit the same key on a keyboard quickly using their left ring finger for 30 s. The results indicated that the input speed of a continuous single hit (6.48 Hz for 0-5 s) decreased over time (5.02 Hz for 25-30 s). Matching input and surface EMG data revealed movement with muscle activity, but without an input, that is, a miss-hit. Video results demonstrated that some subjects hit in a flexible manner, while others hit with unnatural form. Until now, there was only data on whether the speed was fast or slow for rapid key hits. A combined analysis of input data, EMG data, and video data can be used to evaluate miss-hits and hitting form.

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“…This increase in interest was reflected when the 2022 Commonwealth Games included a pilot event for esports, with plans to integrate this further into a full programme by 2026. As with other competitive sports and activities, competing at a high level in esports requires players to possess excellent attentional, cognitive and fine-motor skills [ 3 ]. Finding ways to enhance these skills has become the objective of players, coaches and researchers alike [ 4 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of focus of attention on aiming performance in the first-person shooter videogame Aim Lab

James¹,

O'Connor²

2023

PLoS ONE

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Research examining the impact of Focus of Attention (FoA) has consistently demonstrated a benefit of adopting an external FoA over an internal FoA across a variety of sports and other domains. However, FoA research has yet to be applied within the rapidly growing world of competitive gaming. This study investigated whether an external FoA provided benefits over an internal FoA for aiming performance in First-Person Shooter (FPS) videogames, using the aim-training game Aim Lab. The study explored whether the level of participants’ previous experience of FPS games impacted any effect, as few studies have investigated this directly. Participants with high (N = 20) and low (N = 17) FPS experience who had a minimum of 200 hours FPS experience were selected for the study. The participants were instructed before each set of ten trials to either attend to their wrist/arm movements (internal FoA) or to the target (external FoA). There was no significant main effect of FoA on performance and no significant interaction between FoA and experience. In contrast to findings in other studies, an external FoA provided no performance benefits over an internal FoA in the FPS game Aim Lab. We discuss methodological issues related to the measures used and suggest avenues for future research with a view to improving understanding of putative underlying mechanisms for FoA effects.

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Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation: Augmenting the Training and Performance Potential in Esports Players

Cited by 10 publications

References 74 publications

Application of transcranial alternating current stimulation to improve eSports-related cognitive performance

Application of transcranial alternating current stimulation to improve eSports-related cognitive performance

Evaluation of performance of key hits using input data, electromyography, and video analysis

Impact of focus of attention on aiming performance in the first-person shooter videogame Aim Lab

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