Postural Influence on Cognitive Dynamics during Esports Play: A Randomized Crossover Study (Preprint)

Abstract

BACKGROUND Humans have evolved to sit in a squatting position, whereas in the digitally integrated era epitomized by esports, prolonged sitting on a chair, namely seated position, is a widespread habit linked to body and mind issues. Although standing position promotes health and cognitive performance, the postural influence on cognitive benefits and risks during esports play remains unknown. OBJECTIVE We aimed to test the hypothesis that a standing position enhances esports performance over short periods compared to a seated position, while prolonged standing can lead to cognitive fatigue. Furthermore, we examined whether the forward leaning seated position promotes cognitive dynamics as a possible alternative to the standing position during esports play. METHODS We recruited 25 collegiate casual esports players. They first performed a crossover session of virtual football gaming for a maximum of 3 hours while standing or seated positions (Experiment 1). During the playing, we measured their subjective sensations, mood, virtual football performance, executive function, heart rate, pupil diameter, and salivary cortisol and testosterone levels. Next, we tested the effect of leaning forward in a seated position during the same virtual football gaming condition through a crossover session with a backward seated position (Experiment 2). RESULTS In Experiment 1, standing increased vitality and pleasure, executive function assessed by Flanker interference, and shot performance during the initial 30 minutes. Heart rate, pupil size, and salivary cortisol and testosterone were higher in the standing condition. Beyond 60 minutes, standing slowed interference with increased conceded goals, and 50% of the participants retired during play. In Experiment 2, seated in a leaning forward position enhanced vitality and pleasure, interference, and shot and pass performance than seated in a reclining position during the initial 60 minutes, but led to lower interference and cognitive accuracy after 120 minutes. Reclining seated position slowed interference from the early phase, but accuracy remained unchanged throughout playing. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide evidence that standing position for moderate durations (≤60 minutes) improves mood, executive function, and esports performance, but standing for prolonged durations (>60 minutes) causes cognitive fatigue, leading to lowered cognitive performances. Furthermore, leaning forward seated position serves as an alternative active sitting mirroring the cognitive dynamics of standing esports play. Reclining seated position supports cognitive endurance with higher accuracy. Ultimately, adopting postures to match cognitive demands could encourage active and healthy lifestyles in today’s co-evolving computer-human society.