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：电子竞技对电竞运动员（电子竞技选手）的认知能力提出了高峰要求，然而其久坐的生活方式引起了诸多担忧。本研究为一项试点研究，旨在探讨有氧运动对游戏过程中执行功能、脑血流动力学和心率变异性（HRV）的影响。

方法：招募了六名排名在其游戏领域前10%的顶尖男性电竞选手（平均年龄20.8岁，标准差2.1岁）。通过功能性近红外光谱技术测量脑血流动力学，认知测试评估执行功能，以及心电图测量心率变异性。通过分级运动测试设定个性化的运动强度，随后进行为期10周的基于跑步机的有氧心血管训练项目。

结果：干预后，体重和体质指数保持不变（p > .05），但分级运动测试和心率偏移点显著改善（p < .05）。执行功能在颜色词斯图罗普任务中表现出更快的反应时间，以及在参数式去/留任务中表现出显著更高的准确性（p < .05），且效果显著。功能性近红外光谱显示，在静息状态下氧合血红蛋白水平降低，效果大小为中等至较大，而心率变异性变量显示出显著增加，效果大小为较大。

结论：本试点研究为电竞选手引入了为期10周的锻炼方案，表明其对脑血流动力学、执行功能和HRV具有积极影响，值得进一步研究。