Video Gaming Reduces Circulating Creatine Levels in Young Male E-Gamers

Abstract

Background:No studies so far assessed whether acute video gaming affects creatine metabolism, a metabolic pathway critical in replenishing immediate energy for cells and tissues with high and intermittent energy fluctuations. In this study, we explored whether a single session of prolonged video gaming alters circulating biomarkers of creatine metabolism in young male e-gamers.Methods: A total of 12 young men (age 25.6 ± 3.8 years) signed an informed consent to volunteer in this quasi-experimental before-after pilot trial. Each participant took part in a single 6-h session of competitive online ranked matches in a popular tactical first-person shooting game.Results: A 6-h video gaming session resulted in a statistically significant drop in serum creatine levels (from 27.6 ± 7.5 µmol/L at baseline to 22.9 ± 8.3 µmol/L at follow-up; P = 0.029). The mean reduction in serum creatine was 4.70 µmol/L (95% confidence interval (CI): -2.3 to 11.7), with a moderate-to-large effect size (d = 0.59). Serum creatinine concentrations tended to drop after the gaming session from 88.1 ± 15.5 to 78.2 ± 19.8 µmol/L (P = 0.077). Conclusion:Our findings indicate that creatine homeostasis is sensitive to video gaming perhaps owing to more creatine from the circulation utilized as an energy source for active tissues, including the brain.