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Review

Converging Evidence Supporting the Cognitive Link between Exercise and Esport Performance: A Dual Systematic Review

by
Adam J. Toth
1,2,†,
Niall Ramsbottom
1,2,†,
Magdalena Kowal
1,2 and
Mark J. Campbell
1,2,*
1
The Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland
2
Lero, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Software, University of Limerick, V94 NYD3 Limerick, Ireland
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Brain Sci. 2020, 10(11), 859; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci10110859
Submission received: 2 November 2020 / Accepted: 10 November 2020 / Published: 15 November 2020

Abstract

(1) Background: Research into action video games (AVG) has surged with the popularity of esports over the past three decades. Specifically, evidence is mounting regarding the importance of enhanced cognitive abilities for successful esports performance. However, due to the sedentary nature in which AVGs are played, concerns are growing with the increased engagement young adults have with AVGs. While evidence exists supporting the benefits of exercise for cognition generally in older adult, children and clinical populations, little to no work has synthesized the existing knowledge regarding the effect of exercise specifically on the cognitive abilities required for optimal esports performance in young adults. (2) Method: We conducted a dual-systematic review to identify the cognitive abilities integral to esports performance (Phase 1) and the efficacy of exercise to enhance said cognitive abilities (Phase 2). (3) Results: We demonstrate the importance of four specific cognitive abilities for AVG play (attention, task-switching, information processing, and memory abilities) and the effect that different types and durations of physical exercise has on each. (4) Conclusion: Together, these results highlight the role that exercise can have on not only combating the sedentary nature of gaming, but also its potential role in facilitating the cognitive aspects of gaming performance.
Keywords: exercise; cognition; video gaming; esports; cognitive psychology; neurocognition; Physical exercise exercise; cognition; video gaming; esports; cognitive psychology; neurocognition; Physical exercise
Graphical Abstract

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MDPI and ACS Style

Toth, A.J.; Ramsbottom, N.; Kowal, M.; Campbell, M.J. Converging Evidence Supporting the Cognitive Link between Exercise and Esport Performance: A Dual Systematic Review. Brain Sci. 2020, 10, 859. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci10110859

AMA Style

Toth AJ, Ramsbottom N, Kowal M, Campbell MJ. Converging Evidence Supporting the Cognitive Link between Exercise and Esport Performance: A Dual Systematic Review. Brain Sciences. 2020; 10(11):859. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci10110859

Chicago/Turabian Style

Toth, Adam J., Niall Ramsbottom, Magdalena Kowal, and Mark J. Campbell. 2020. "Converging Evidence Supporting the Cognitive Link between Exercise and Esport Performance: A Dual Systematic Review" Brain Sciences 10, no. 11: 859. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci10110859

APA Style

Toth, A. J., Ramsbottom, N., Kowal, M., & Campbell, M. J. (2020). Converging Evidence Supporting the Cognitive Link between Exercise and Esport Performance: A Dual Systematic Review. Brain Sciences, 10(11), 859. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci10110859

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