ECSS Paris 2023: OP-SH31
Introduction The rapid growth of eSports participation is well established; however, increasing attention is being directed toward the expanding phenomenon of spectatorship. While eSports performance requires prolonged perceptual–cognitive processing and emotional engagement, the psychophysiological demands of active gameplay compared with passive viewing remain poorly quantified. This study compared acute cognitive, psychophysiological, and perceived workload responses following two hours of competitive first-person shooter gameplay (Valorant) versus passive spectating. Methods Fourteen amateur esports players completed two experimental sessions (Play vs Watch) in a randomized crossover design. Before and after each session, participants performed a psychomotor vigilance task (PVT) and a game-specific shooting accuracy test, and completed measures of perceived fatigue (ROF), mood (BRUMS), and boredom (MSBS). Perceived workload (NASA-TLX) was assessed post-session only. Heart rate (HR) was recorded before, during, and after each condition. Results Subjective fatigue increased significantly in both conditions (p < 0.001). PVT analysis revealed a greater number of lapses in Watch compared with Play (p = 0.029). Total mood disturbance increased in both conditions (p < 0.001), while tension was higher during Play (p = 0.048). A time × condition interaction emerged for anger, which increased only after Play (p = 0.021), with significant post-condition differences (p = 0.029). Boredom increased in both conditions (p = 0.009). Perceived workload was substantially higher during Play, particularly for mental demand (p < 0.001), performance (p = 0.007), and frustration (p < 0.001). HR responses showed a significant time × condition interaction (p = 0.039): HR remained stable during Play but decreased during Watch. Discussion As expected, active gameplay was more demanding than passive spectating. This effect was indicated by both higher perceived workload during Play compared to Watch and HR. The latter remained stable during gameplay but decreased during spectating, indicating higher cardiovascular activation in the active condition. Emotional responses further differentiated the conditions, with higher levels of frustration, tension, and anger observed during Play, likely reflecting competitive pressure. Contrary to expectations, perceived fatigue increased similarly in both conditions. This may be explained by the concurrent rise in boredom, suggesting that fatigue was at least in part driven by reduced engagement rather than workload alone. In particular, the intermittent structure of the game—characterized by passive observation following early elimination—likely introduced prolonged periods of monotony even during active play. Overall, while gameplay imposes greater psychophysiological demands, boredom-related processes appear to play a key role in the fatigue responses.
Read CV Ruotian PanECSS Paris 2023: OP-SH31
Introduction Working memory contributes to successful decision-making and goal-oriented thinking, a factor that is essential for flawless human performance as required in an operational setting. Military service is often characterized by sleep deprivation and physiological and psychological stress, which could further impede the optimal functioning of cognitive performance. It is therefore essential to identify factors that contribute to promoting working memory performance. Previous studies have found that high physical fitness is associated with better working memory performance (Oberlin et al., 2016). However, few studies have examined this link in young, healthy adults, particularly in a military setting. We therefore aimed to investigate the association of physical fitness with both behavioral and neurocognitive indices of working memory in recruits of the Swiss Armed Forces. Methods Our sample comprised 134 male recruits of an Infantry school with a mean age of 19.8 years. Physical fitness was assessed using the Swiss Army's official fitness test and conducted during basic military training, including a shuttle run and two strength tests (Wyss et al., 2019). Additionally, participants completed a computerized spatial N-back task. Electroencephalography was used to record event-related potentials (i.e., N2 and P3) evoked by this task. Results Aerobic endurance correlated positively with working memory accuracy (r = 0.27, p = 0.003). In contrast, performance on the two strength tests was not directly linked to working memory performance (r = -0.03, p = 0.73; r = -0.004, p = 0.97). Regarding neurocognitive indices, P3 latency was negatively correlated to the trunk muscle strength test (r = 0.21, p = 0.02). However, path analyses revealed no significant mediation of the association between working memory accuracy and performance on the shuttle run by P3 or N2. Discussion Recruits with higher aerobic endurance are also characterized by better working memory abilities, which are likely to contribute to informed decision making. These findings could have practical implications for military education and training. However, the underlying physiological mechanism of this association needs further investigation. References Oberlin, L. E., Verstynen, T. D., Burzynska, A. Z., Voss, M. W., Prakash, R. S., Chaddock-Heyman, L., Wong, C., Fanning, J., Awick, E., Gothe, N., Phillips, S. M., Mailey, E., Ehlers, D., Olson, E., Wojcicki, T., McAuley, E., Kramer, A. F., & Erickson, K. I. (2016). White matter microstructure mediates the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and spatial working memory in older adults. NeuroImage, 131, 91–101. Wyss, T., Roos, L., Studer, F., Mäder, U., Beuchat, C., & Staub, K. (2019). Development of physical fitness performance in young Swiss men from 2006 to 2015. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 29(4), 586–596.
Read CV Anouk GlättliECSS Paris 2023: OP-SH31