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Study shows exercise may improve video game performance (matt404au, GET ITT!!!)

Abstract
Purpose
Video gamers exceeding screen-time limits are at greater risk of experiencing health issues associated to 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.
Methods
Twenty young video gamers played a customized LoL task preceded by a short bout of high-intensity interval training or a period of rest. The two conditions were administered on two separate days in a randomized counterbalanced fashion. 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.
Results
Exercise improved (p=0.027) the capacity to eliminate targets (121.17 [3.78]) compared to rest (111.38 [3.43]). Exercise also enhanced accuracy (p=0.019), with fewer targets eliminated with more than one attack after exercise (1.39 [0.39]) compared to rest (2.44 [0.51]). Exercise increased positive affect by 17% (p=0.007) but neither affect nor exercise enjoyment were associated with total number of targets eliminated or accuracy.
Conclusion
A short bout of intense cardiovascular exercise before playing LoL improves video game performance. More studies are needed to establish whether these effects are generalizable to other video games, whether repeated bouts have summative effects and to identify underlying mechanisms.

© 2020 American College of Sports Medicine

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Phase

Member
Good to know my between-round push ups and core exercises are helping, even if only slightly. Working out in small stints while gaming has been the best way for me to workout in general, as my attention and mind is still on the game allowing me to forget how much I'm working out. Also helps with cold hands, for my fps bros out there.
 
Good to know my between-round push ups and core exercises are helping, even if only slightly. Working out in small stints while gaming has been the best way for me to workout in general, as my attention and mind is still on the game allowing me to forget how much I'm working out. Also helps with cold hands, for my fps bros out there.
This is what i should be doing :(
 

Phase

Member
This is what i should be doing :(
I actually didn't like doing it at first because I felt my elevated heart rate was affecting me, but I only do it in the first 30ish mins of my gaming sessions. Gets too tiring after that. Really the biggest reason was my damn cold hands. I used to wear a beanie and have a space heater near my hand sometimes lol. Still need the beanie sometimes.
 
I actually didn't like doing it at first because I felt my elevated heart rate was affecting me, but I only do it in the first 30ish mins of my gaming sessions. Gets too tiring after that. Really the biggest reason was my damn cold hands. I used to wear a beanie and have a space heater near my hand sometimes lol. Still need the beanie sometimes.
I have a camouflage hat that I wear when playing Snake Eater :p
 

-Troid-

Banned
I think it's because working out can increase your confidence, even if it's just because you have to follow through on a goal you set. Gaming is all about goal setting/achieving so they're pretty congruent mindset wise.

I try to go to the gym at least once a week and I actually usually play something after I get home 😂
 
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