Converging Evidence Supporting the Cognitive Link between Exercise and Esport Performance: A Dual Systematic Review

Abstract

(1) Background: Research into action video games (AVG) has surged with the popularity of esports over the past three decades. Specifically, evidence is mounting regarding the importance of enhanced cognitive abilities for successful esports performance. However, due to the sedentary nature in which AVGs are played, concerns are growing with the increased engagement young adults have with AVGs. While evidence exists supporting the benefits of exercise for cognition generally in older adult, children and clinical populations, little to no work has synthesized the existing knowledge regarding the effect of exercise specifically on the cognitive abilities required for optimal esports performance in young adults. (2) Method: We conducted a dual-systematic review to identify the cognitive abilities integral to esports performance (Phase 1) and the efficacy of exercise to enhance said cognitive abilities (Phase 2). (3) Results: We demonstrate the importance of four specific cognitive abilities for AVG play (attention, task-switching, information processing, and memory abilities) and the effect that different types and durations of physical exercise has on each. (4) Conclusion: Together, these results highlight the role that exercise can have on not only combating the sedentary nature of gaming, but also its potential role in facilitating the cognitive aspects of gaming performance.

Keywords: Physical exercise; cognition; cognitive psychology; esports; exercise; neurocognition; video gaming.

Figure 1

Flow chart demonstrating the identification, screening, eligibility and inclusion of articles identified for phase 1 (gaming and cognition) of the dual systematic review in accordance with PRISMA guidelines.

Figure 2

(A) Percent of included studies finding a positive effect of AVG play on attention, memory, information processing and task-switching cognitive abilities. ‘n’ values represent the total number of included studies examining each cognitive ability. (B) Probability density functions for the true success rates of a study to find attention (black trace), memory (blue), information processing and task-switching (orange) performance improvements following AVG play, respectively. Shaded areas represent the probability (/100%) that the observed success rate, given the findings of the included studies, reflects the true success rate.

Figure 3

(A) Percent of included studies finding a AVG players (AVGPs) to outperform non-gamers (NGs) on tests of attention, memory, information processing and task-switching cognitive abilities. ‘n’ values represent the total number of included studies examining each cognitive ability. (B) Probability density functions for the true success rates of a study to find AVGPs to outperform NGs on tests of attention (black trace), memory (blue), information processing and task-switching (orange) ability, respectively. Shaded areas represent the probability (/100%) that the observed success rate, given the findings of the included studies, reflects the true success rate.

Figure 4

Flow chart demonstrating the identification, screening, eligibility and inclusion of articles identified for phase 2 (exercise and cognition) of the dual systematic review in accordance with PRISMA guidelines.

Figure 5

(A) Percent of included studies finding a positive effect of exercise on attention, memory, information processing and task-switching cognitive abilities. ‘n’ values represent the total number of included studies examining each cognitive ability. (B) Probability density functions for the true success rates of a study to find attention (black trace), memory (blue), information processing and task-switching (orange) performance improvements following exercise, respectively. Shaded areas represent the probability (/100%) that the observed success rate, given the findings of the included studies, reflects the true success rate.

Figure 6

Contribution (in %) and number (n) of studies finding (A) Attention, (B) Memory, (C) Information Processing, and (D) Task-Switching improvement following exercise, separated by Aerobic, HIIT, Resistance and ‘Other’ exercise types.