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NCT Number: NCT07150312

Can Different Exercise Modalities Improve Esports Performance?

This study aims to investigate the long-term effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on esports performance through a 12-week three-arm randomized controlled trial, and to examine the sustainability of these effects during a follow-up period after intervention cessation. Additionally, we seek to compare the differential impacts of these two exercise modalities on various dimensions of esports performance, thereby providing evidence-based guidance for esports training regimens and enhancing our understanding of the underlying mechanisms by which different exercise approaches influence cognitive and motor capabilities essential for competitive gaming.

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Key information

Conditions

Esports Players

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • 18-29 years old;
  • regular FPS players engaging in shooters within the past six months;
  • healthy individuals who are capable of physical tests or HIIT;
  • no regular exercise habits;
  • can understand English or Chinese.

Exclusion criteria

  • self-reported history of neurological, psychiatric, or medical diseases;
  • current intake of medications and/or recreational drugs that could affect the central nervous system and/or the ability to learn;
  • not a regular user of Aim Lab.

Treatment and study plan

HIIT

Behavioral

A 12-week home-based HIIT exercise plan (running). Duration: Each session consists of 10 x 1-minute high-intensity bouts interspersed with 10 x 1-minute recovery periods. Adding the 3-minute warmup and 3-minute cool-down, each session totals approximately 26 minutes. This protocol is followed for 12 weeks.

Intensity: High-intensity bouts are performed at 80-90% of HRmax (RPE 15-18). Recovery periods are at 40-50% of HRmax (RPE 11-13). Warm-up and cool-down are at 50% HRmax (RPE 11-13).

Modality: Running, jogging, or brisk walking, either on a treadmill or outdoors.

Supervision: The first three sessions are supervised in a laboratory setting. Subsequent sessions are unsupervised and performed at home with heart rate monitoring and remote data tracking via Polar Flow for Coach.

MICT

Behavioral

A 12-week home-based MICT exercise plan (running). Duration: Each session consists of 20 minutes of continuous exercise. Including the 3-minute warm-up and 3-minute cool-down, each session totals 26 minutes. This protocol is followed for 12 weeks.

Intensity: Exercise is performed at 64-76% of HRmax (RPE 12-14). Warm-up and cool-down are at 50% HRmax (RPE 11-13).

Modality: Running, jogging, or brisk walking, either on a treadmill or outdoors.

Supervision: The first three sessions are supervised in a laboratory setting. Subsequent sessions are unsupervised and performed at home with heart rate monitoring and remote data tracking via Polar Flow for Coach.

Primary outcomes

  1. Esports performance

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 12-week intervention completion

    Measured by Aim Lab (Online shooting program) and esports-related mental quality questionnaire.

Other outcomes

  1. VO2max

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 12-week intervention completion

    Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run 20-m (measured in laps)

  2. Handgrip

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 12-week intervention completion

    Handgrip dynamometer (measured in kilograms)

  3. Core strength

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 12-week intervention completion

    Plank test (measured in second)

  4. Balance

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 12-week intervention completion

    Unipedal stance test (measured in second)

  5. Agility

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 12-week intervention completion

    Agility T-test (measured in second)

  6. Flexibility

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 12-week intervention completion

    Sit and Reach Test

  7. Body composition (measured in centimeter)

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 12-week intervention completion

    Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) device (MC-780MA)

  8. Physical Activity Level

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 12-week intervention completion

    International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) long form (measured in MET-minutes/week, range: 0 to no upper limit, with higher scores indicating higher levels of physical activity)

  9. Sleep Quality

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 12-week intervention completion

    Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) (scored from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating worse sleep quality)

  10. Total Energy Intake

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 12-week intervention completion

    Daily caloric intake measured by a validated 3-day food diary (measured in kilocalories/day)

  11. Carbohydrate Intake

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 12-week intervention completion

    Daily carbohydrate consumption measured by validated 3-day food diary (measured in grams/day)

  12. Fat Intake

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 12-week intervention completion

    Daily fat consumption measured by a validated 3-day food diary (measured in grams/day)

  13. Protein Intake

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 12-week intervention completion

    Daily protein consumption measured by a validated 3-day food diary (measured in grams/day)

  14. Affect

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 12-week intervention completion

    Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), a 20-item scale measuring both positive affect (10 items) and negative affect (10 items).Two separate scores calculated: positive affect score (range: 10-50, higher scores indicate higher positive affect) and negative affect score (range: 10-50, higher scores indicate higher negative affect)

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Di TANG, PHD

CONTACT

[email protected]

852 52487078

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ma Ruisi

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Can Different Exercise Modalities Improve Esports Performance? Study Protocol for a 12-week Three-arm Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2028
Study completion
2028
First posted
Sep 2, 2025
Registry last updated
Sep 2, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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