Can Different Exercise Modalities Improve Esports Performance?

ConditionEsports Players

Trial statusNot yet recruiting

Trial phaseNot applicable

Trial typeInterventional

Biological sexAll

Age18+

SponsorMa Ruisi

About this trial

This study aims to investigate the long-term effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on esports performance through a 12-week three-arm randomized controlled trial, and to examine the sustainability of these effects during a follow-up period after intervention cessation. Additionally, we seek to compare the differential impacts of these two exercise modalities on various dimensions of esports performance, thereby providing evidence-based guidance for esports training regimens and enhancing our understanding of the underlying mechanisms by which different exercise approaches influence cognitive and motor capabilities essential for competitive gaming.

Eligibility criteria

This trial accepts healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

18-29 years old;

regular FPS players engaging in shooters within the past six months;

healthy individuals who are capable of physical tests or HIIT;

no regular exercise habits;

Disqualifiers

self-reported history of neurological, psychiatric, or medical diseases;

current intake of medications and/or recreational drugs that could affect the central nervous system and/or the ability to learn;

not a regular user of Aim Lab.

Trial design

Design model

Parallel

Treatments tested in this trial

HIIT
Behavioral
A 12-week home-based HIIT exercise plan (running). Duration: Each session consists of 10 x 1-minute high-intensity bouts interspersed with 10 x 1-minute recovery periods. Adding the 3-minute warmup and 3-minute cool-down, each session totals approximately 26 minutes. This protocol is followed for 12 weeks. Intensity: High-intensity bouts are performed at 80-90% of HRmax (RPE 15-18). Recovery periods are at 40-50% of HRmax (RPE 11-13). Warm-up and cool-down are at 50% HRmax (RPE 11-13). Modality: Running, jogging, or brisk walking, either on a treadmill or outdoors. Supervision: The first three sessions are supervised in a laboratory setting. Subsequent sessions are unsupervised and performed at home with heart rate monitoring and remote data tracking via Polar Flow for Coach.
MICT
Behavioral
A 12-week home-based MICT exercise plan (running). Duration: Each session consists of 20 minutes of continuous exercise. Including the 3-minute warm-up and 3-minute cool-down, each session totals 26 minutes. This protocol is followed for 12 weeks. Intensity: Exercise is performed at 64-76% of HRmax (RPE 12-14). Warm-up and cool-down are at 50% HRmax (RPE 11-13). Modality: Running, jogging, or brisk walking, either on a treadmill or outdoors. Supervision: The first three sessions are supervised in a laboratory setting. Subsequent sessions are unsupervised and performed at home with heart rate monitoring and remote data tracking via Polar Flow for Coach.

Treatment groups

195 Participants

are divided into 3 treatment groups

Group A: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) groupExperimental treatment 1 intervention

Group B: Moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) groupExperimental treatment 1 intervention

Group C: ControlNo intervention 0 interventions

Trial outcomes