Exercise Program for Esports Athletes

Overseen By Timothy Tiu, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Miami

Disqualifiers: Non-UM esports members, Injury, Cognitive impairment, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 6 weeks

15 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This study is intended to evaluate the effects of an exercise program on the change of electronic sports (esports) athletes' reaction time and mouse click accuracy. The benefits of participation are directly related to exercise, and include improved thinking, performance, sleep, and quality of life.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Resistance combined with cardiovascular training for Esports Athletes?

Research shows that regular exercise, including both resistance and cardiovascular training, can improve heart health, reduce blood pressure, and enhance overall physical performance. These benefits are seen in various conditions, suggesting that such a program could help Esports athletes improve their fitness and potentially reduce health risks. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is a combined resistance and cardiovascular exercise program safe for humans?

Research suggests that resistance and cardiovascular exercise programs are generally safe for humans, with benefits like improved cardiovascular fitness and potential positive changes in heart health. However, caution is advised for individuals with existing cardiovascular conditions due to possible blood pressure responses during intense exercise. ^{3 6 7 8 9}

How does the exercise program for esports athletes differ from other treatments?

The exercise program for esports athletes is unique because it combines resistance training with cardiovascular training, which can improve both strength and heart health. Unlike traditional treatments that may focus solely on cardiovascular fitness or strength, this program aims to enhance overall physical performance and endurance, making it particularly suitable for esports athletes who require both mental and physical stamina. ^{6 10 11 12 13}

Research Team

Timothy Tiu, MD

Principal Investigator

University of Miami

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for esports athletes who want to improve their gaming skills. Participants should be interested in seeing if exercise can help with reaction time and mouse accuracy. The study will look at how resistance and cardiovascular training might benefit thinking, performance, sleep, and overall quality of life.

Inclusion Criteria

University of Miami electronic sports (esports) club team members

Exclusion Criteria

I cannot join a full body exercise program due to an injury or health condition.

Non-University of Miami electronic sports (esports) club team members

Individuals who cannot comprehend basic instruction on exercise whether due to a cognitive impairment or language barrier (i.e., non-English speaker)

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive resistance combined with cardiovascular training intervention

6 weeks

Weekly sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in reaction time and mouse accuracy after the exercise program

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Resistance combined with cardiovascular training

Trial Overview The trial is testing a specific exercise program combining resistance training with cardiovascular workouts to see if it improves the reaction times and mouse click accuracy of esports athletes.

Participant Groups

Group I: Resistance combined with cardiovascular training group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants in this group will receive the resistance combined with cardiovascular training intervention for up to 6 weeks

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Miami

Lead Sponsor

Trials

976

Recruited

423,000+

Findings from Research

Engaging in both moderate endurance exercise and specific strength training programs significantly enhances physical performance and improves cardiovascular health, making them essential for managing cardiovascular risk factors and diseases.

Higher-intensity interval training is now recommended alongside traditional exercise methods, with a focus on personalized load control to optimize recovery and performance, emphasizing that increasing daily activity, such as achieving over 7500 to 10,000 steps, also contributes positively to cardiovascular health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Sport and exercise in prevention and therapy of cardiovascular diseases]. Hacke, C., Weisser, B.[2021]

Regular weight-training can lead to positive adaptations in cardiovascular health, including decreased heart rate during maximal work and improved myocardial structure, which may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Resistance training can also enhance aerobic capacity and improve metabolic health markers like glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, although caution is advised for individuals with existing cardiovascular conditions due to potential blood pressure responses.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Health- and performance-related potential of resistance training. Stone, MH., Fleck, SJ., Triplett, NT., et al.[2022]

A 30-minute immersive virtual reality (IVR) exergaming session resulted in a high energy expenditure of 440 calories and a mean heart rate of 176 beats per minute, indicating significant metabolic and physiological demand among 14 healthy college-aged participants.

Participants found the IVR training enjoyable, rating it as 'somewhat hard-to-hard' on the exertion scale, and reported no symptoms of cybersickness, suggesting that IVR exergaming could be a safe and effective way to enhance fitness and health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physiological and Metabolic Requirements, and User-Perceived Exertion of Immersive Virtual Reality Exergaming Incorporating an Adaptive Cable Resistance System: An Exploratory Study. Hu, J., Browne, JD., Arnold, MT., et al.[2021]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Submaximal fitness and mortality risk reduction in coronary heart disease: a retrospective cohort study of community-based exercise rehabilitation. [2022]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The role of exercise in cardiovascular rehabilitation: a review. [2017]

3. Brazil pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Resistance exercise restores endothelial function and reduces blood pressure in type 1 diabetic rats. [2021]

4. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Sport and exercise in prevention and therapy of cardiovascular diseases]. [2021]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exercise effects on cardiovascular disease: from basic aspects to clinical evidence. [2022]

6. New Zealand pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Health- and performance-related potential of resistance training. [2022]

7. Australia pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of a 12-month exercise program on cardiorespiratory health indicators of Vietnam War veterans resident in the tropics. [2008]

8. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of short-term, medium-term and long-term resistance exercise training on cardiometabolic health outcomes in adults: systematic review with meta-analysis. [2022]

9. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Long-term follow-up of bradycardia in elite athletes. [2008]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physiological and Metabolic Requirements, and User-Perceived Exertion of Immersive Virtual Reality Exergaming Incorporating an Adaptive Cable Resistance System: An Exploratory Study. [2021]

11. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

High-intensity exergaming for improved cardiorespiratory fitness: A randomised, controlled trial. [2022]

12. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The influence of high-velocity circuit resistance training on VO2max and cardiac output. [2006]

13. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Is the Energy Expenditure Provided by Exergames Valid? [2019]