Can Different Exercise Modalities Improve Esports Performance?

NCT07150312 | Not Yet Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: SBRE-24-0942
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 195
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

Esports Players

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Esports performance

  Measured by Aim Lab (Online shooting program) and esports-related mental quality questionnaire.

  Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 12-week intervention completion

Other Outcomes (14)

• VO2max

  Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 12-week intervention completion

• Handgrip

  Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 12-week intervention completion

• Core strength

  Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 12-week intervention completion

Study Arms (3)

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) group

EXPERIMENTAL

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.

Behavioral: HIIT

Moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) group

EXPERIMENTAL

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.

Behavioral: MICT

Control

NO INTERVENTION

No intervention. Members of the control group are required to maintain their usual habits of gaming, sleeping, eating, and exercising. The experiment does not implement any interventions for the control group.

Interventions

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.

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) group

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.

Moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• 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;
• can understand English or Chinese.

You may not qualify if:

• 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.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ma Ruisi: lead

Related Publications (1)

• DE Las Heras B, Li O, Rodrigues L, Nepveu JF, Roig M. Exercise Improves Video Game Performance: A Win-Win Situation. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2020 Jul;52(7):1595-1602. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000002277.

  PMID: 31977638 BACKGROUND

Central Study Contacts

Di TANG, PHD

CONTACT

852 52487078; tangdi@link.cuhk.edu.hk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Co-Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 17, 2025
• First Posted: September 2, 2025
• Study Start: January 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): March 31, 2028
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2028
• Last Updated: September 2, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share