The effects of exercise one video game performance

A study with 20 young LoL players

A recent study showed that short bouts of exercise help boost your brain functions. Specifically, exercise can increase attention and decision-making speed.

The study "Exercise Improves Video Game Performance: A Win–Win Situation” was published online in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise on January 17, 2020.

Twenty young video gamers played a customized League of Legends task preceded by a short bout of high-intensity interval training or a period of rest. Video game performance was assessed as the total number of targets eliminated as well as accuracy, defined as the ability to eliminate targets using single attacks. Short-term changes in affect after exercise as well as exercise enjoyment were also assessed.

The Effects of Physical Exercise

The idea behind the research is something we see happening in the world of Esports too much: 'Video gamers exceeding screen-time limits are at greater risk of experiencing health issues associated with physical inactivity.'

Demonstrating that exercise has positive effects on video game performance could promote physical activity among video gamers.

'We investigated the short-term effects of a single session of cardiovascular exercise on the performance of the popular video game League of Legends (LoL) and explored psychosocial mechanisms.'

"A short bout of intense cardiovascular exercise before playing LoL improves video game performance."

- "Exercise Improves Video Game Performance: A Win–Win Situation” published online in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise on January 17, 2020.

Takeaways for your next game

The results are clear:

• Exercise improved the capacity to eliminate targets
• Exercise enhanced accuracy, with fewer targets eliminated with more than one attack after exercise
• Exercise increased positive affect

So, what is the conclusion?

A short bout of intense cardiovascular exercise before playing LoL improves video game performance. Voila, there you have it. Use this very concrete tip for your next important game.

Move, exercise, get off your gaming chair!

Niels Peetermans
Performance coach & Co-founder Qallo

Source: "Exercise Improves Video Game Performance: A Win–Win Situation” was published online in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise on January 17, 2020. DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000002277