Sustainability of Esports Performance Phys. & Cognitive Training – Thillier & Besombes (ERNC25) скачать в хорошем качестве

Sustainability of Esports Performance Phys. & Cognitive Training – Thillier & Besombes (ERNC25)

This presentation by Clément Thillier and Nicolas Besombes from Université Paris Cité examines how targeted physical and cognitive training programs may support sustainable performance in professional esports players. Focusing on cognitive performance as a key determinant of in game success, the study addresses a major gap in current esports research, namely the lack of empirical evidence supporting structured training interventions for professional players. The doctoral research project investigates the effects of physical training and cognitive motor training on both cognitive and physiological outcomes. The study involved ten professional players competing in League of Legends and Valorant and employed a single case experimental design with a randomized crossover structure. Players completed high intensity interval training and cognitive motor training across separate four week intervention phases, allowing for comparison of training effects within individuals. Physiological measures included heart rate variability and related indicators of autonomic regulation, while cognitive performance was assessed using reaction time and accuracy measures from a working memory and inhibition task. Data analysis combined visual inspection, effect size estimation, and percentage change calculations. Preliminary results indicate overall improvements in cognitive performance across participants, with gains observed in reaction time and accuracy. Early trends also suggest positive changes in heart rate variability, pointing toward potential benefits for physical regulation and recovery. The presentation discusses how such cognitive and physiological adaptations may help professional players maintain performance over long competitive seasons while supporting health, career longevity, and inclusion. The work contributes to framing esports training within a broader sustainability perspective. Keywords: professional esports players, cognitive performance, physical performance, training programs, high intensity interval training, cognitive motor training About the ERN Conference 2025: The Esports Research Network Conference 2025 took place online from November 12–14, 2025 as a continuous, 72-hour global livestream. Guided by the theme “Future Realities: Esports as a Global Lab,” the event explored how esports serves as a living laboratory for understanding digital transformation across education, media, technology, and society. This innovative digital-first format followed the sun across three regional hubs, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania & Michigan State University (Americas), Staffordshire University (EMEA), and UNSW Sydney (Asia-Pacific), creating a nonstop, interconnected academic experience available to participants worldwide. This ambitious production was made possible through the support of Corsair for Business, whose Elgato technology powered high-quality broadcasting and seamless livestreaming across all three hubs. ERNC25 continues the network’s mission to unite scholars, practitioners, and students while fostering open, global collaboration in esports research. Full abstracts for all presentations can be viewed in the official Book of Abstracts at: https://book.esportsresearch.net Website: https://esportsresearch.net