The effects of competitive and interactive play on physiological state in professional esports players

Abstract

In esports competitions, both motor skills used to manipulate an avatar and psychological skills are important to achieve optimal performance. Previous studies have investigated the role of psychological skill on computer game performance by observing the modulation of physiological state. However, how physiological state is modulated in esports athletes during an esports match is unclear. In this study, we examined two hypotheses to clarify the effects of competitive and interactive play on the physiological state of esports professionals: (1) the sympathetic nervous system of esports players is activated by competitive play and modulated by the game situation, and (2) the autonomic nervous system activities of players in dyads are synchronized positively/negatively by interpersonal interaction. We measured electrocardiograms (ECGs) in nine professional esports players while they played a fighting video game to investigate changes in physiological state. We compared ECGs collected in the resting state, while playing against a computer, and while playing against other players. We calculated the mean heart rate (HR), temporal pattern of HR, and correlation of temporal HR patterns of the pairs in the player-versus-player condition. The results showed that mean HR was elevated by the presence of a human opponent compared with a computer opponent, and an increase in mean HR was also observed in specific game situations (beginning of the match, toward the end of a game or match). These results suggest that the sympathetic nervous system in esports players is activated by competitive play and is modulated by the game situation. In addition, the temporal HR patterns in the opponent pairs were synchronized, suggesting that autonomic nervous system activity is synchronized in player dyads via interpersonal interaction during competitive play. Our results provide insight regarding the relationship between physiological state and psychological skill in esports professionals during esports competitions.

The eSports Medicine: Pre-Participation Screening and Injuries Management—An Update

“…The HR increase indicates a parasympathetic withdrawal and/or an upregulation of the sympathetic nervous system possibly through the release of catecholamines. This modulation in eAthletes is particularly evident in some game situations [ 82 ]: indeed, HR increases at the beginning of the match or toward the end of a game, and it is higher when the presence of a human opponent is compared with a computer opponent [ 83 ]. This means that the sympathetic nervous system in eSports players is activated by competitive play and is modulated by the game situation.…”

In-game Heart Rate Variability in Habitual University Student League of Legends Players: Correlations with In-game Performance, Game Rank and Internet Addiction Scale

“…In a study of military pilots performing combat ight maneuvers on a ight simulator, higher sympathetic activity was observed during landing compared to taking off (Villafaina et al, 2021). Professional Esports players playing a ghting game demonstrated a higher mean HR towards the end of the game, suggesting an emotional change associated with the outcome of the match (Watanabe et al, 2021). Therefore, the difference in LF% in LG between the High Risk and Low Risk groups can be attributed to the former group being more emotionally aroused as the game draws to a close.…”

Esports for Seniors: Acute Effects of Esports Gaming in the Community on the Emotional State and Heart Rate among Japanese Older Adults

“…Despite its sedentary nature, previous studies have shown that a single esports session could have positive effects on physiological parameters. It has been well documented that the heart rate (HR) of esports participants is increased during games [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]. Previous experimental studies that analyzed young individuals reported that a single esports session was associated with faster response times [ 8 ], physiological arousal (moderate increase in stress hormones (e.g., cortisol)) [ 12 ], as well as the activation of sympathetic activity [ 9 ].…”

“…It has been well documented that the heart rate (HR) of esports participants is increased during games [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]. Previous experimental studies that analyzed young individuals reported that a single esports session was associated with faster response times [ 8 ], physiological arousal (moderate increase in stress hormones (e.g., cortisol)) [ 12 ], as well as the activation of sympathetic activity [ 9 ]. Moreover, Zimmer et al (2022), as described above, reported that HR and blood cortisol levels reached their nadir 10 min after an esports session [ 7 ].…”

“…More crucially, evidence of the effects of esports has generally been limited to young populations. All of the above-mentioned studies, regardless of whether they employed an experimental [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ] or epidemiological [ 4 , 5 , 14 ] approach, were conducted for young individuals, including young students [ 5 , 8 , 10 , 11 ] or young esports athletes in their 20 s to 30 s [ 4 , 9 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Very recently, esports have become popular among older populations [ 15 ].…”