NCT07150312

Can Different Exercise Modalities Improve Esports Performance?

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

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 195 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Ma Ruisi · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

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.

Conditions

• Esports Players

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	HIIT	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.
BEHAVIORAL	MICT	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.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-01-01
• Primary completion: 2028-03-31
• Completion: 2028-12-31
• First posted: 2025-09-02
• Last updated: 2025-09-02