Role of a 10-Week Exercise Intervention on Cerebral Hemoglobin Saturation, Cognitive Function, and Heart Rate Variability Within Elite Esports Players: A Pilot Study

Introduction: Esports demand peak cognitive performance from esports athletes (e-athletes), yet their sedentary lifestyle raises concerns.  This pilot study explores the effects of aerobic exercise on executive function, cerebral hemodynamics, and heart rate variability (HRV) during gameplay.

Methods: Six high-ranking male e-athletes (20.8 ± 2.1 years old), ranking in the top 10% of their game, were recruited.  Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy measured cerebral hemodynamics, cognitive tests assessed executive function, and electrocardiography measured HRV.  Individualised exercise intensities were set through graded exercise testing, followed by a 10-week treadmill-based cardiovascular training program.

Results: Postintervention, weight, and body mass index remained unchanged (p > .05), but the graded exercise test and heart rate deflection point significantly improved (p < .05). Executive function displayed faster reaction times in the Color Word Stroop Task, and notably more accurate responses in the Parametric Go/No-Go tasks (p < .05), with large effect sizes. Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy revealed decreased oxygenated hemoglobin levels during rest, with moderate to large effect sizes, while HRV variables showed significant increases with large effect sizes.

Conclusions: This pilot study introduces a 10-week exercise regimen for e-athletes, suggesting positive impacts on cerebral hemodynamics, executive functions, and HRV, warranting further research.

引言：电子竞技要求电子竞技运动员（e-athletes）具备巅峰认知表现，但其久坐的生活方式引发了担忧。本试点研究探讨了有氧运动对游戏过程中执行功能、脑血流动力学及心率变异性（HRV）的影响。

方法：招募了6名高水平男性电子竞技运动员（e-athletes），年龄为20.8±2.1岁，在其参与的游戏中排名前10%。采用功能性近红外光谱（Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy）测量脑血流动力学，通过认知测试评估执行功能，利用心电图（Electrocardiography）测定HRV。通过分级运动测试设定个体化运动强度，随后开展为期10周的基于跑步机的心血管训练计划。

结果：干预后，体重及体重指数无显著变化（p>0.05），但分级运动测试表现及心率偏转点显著改善（p<0.05）。执行功能方面，颜色词Stroop任务反应时加快，参数化Go/No-Go任务的反应准确性显著提升（p<0.05），且效应量较大。功能性近红外光谱显示，静息状态下氧合血红蛋白水平降低，效应量为中等至较大；同时HRV指标显著升高，效应量较大。

结论：本试点研究为电子竞技运动员（e-athletes）引入了为期10周的运动方案，提示其对脑血流动力学、执行功能及HRV具有积极影响，值得进一步研究。