Effects of an 8-week preventive exercise program on physical activity and cognitive performance in esports athletes — study protocol for a randomized controlled trial Auswirkungen eines achtwöchigen präventiven Trainingsprogramms auf die körperliche Aktivität und die kognitiven Leistungsfähigkeit von E-Sportlern – Studienprotokoll für eine randomisierte kontrollierte Studie

Tholl, Chuck; Krampe, Lisa; Wollesen, Bettina · 2026 · Crossref

DOI: 10.1007/s12662-026-01098-5

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Summary

This study protocol outlines a randomized controlled trial designed to investigate the effects of an 8-week preventive exercise program on physical activity levels, cognitive performance, and well-being in amateur esports athletes. The research is motivated by the significant public health challenges associated with physical inactivity and sedentary behavior, which are prevalent in video gaming and esports. These behaviors are linked to musculoskeletal disorders, reduced cardiovascular function, and impaired cognitive functions such as executive function and working memory, which are critical for competitive gaming performance. While preliminary evidence suggests that structured exercise can mitigate these risks and enhance neuroplasticity, the evidence base remains limited and mixed. This study aims to provide causal insights into the relationship between physical activity and cognitive function in this specific population, representing the first targeted prevention program of its kind in Germany. The study employs a single-center, prospective, randomized controlled, single-blinded design with a repeated-measures structure. A total of 24 healthy amateur esports athletes, aged 18–35, with at least 5 hours of weekly competitive gaming, will be recruited from Cologne, Germany. Participants will be stratified by in-game rank and randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to either an intervention group (IG) or a passive control group (CG). The IG will undergo an 8-week exercise program consisting of weekly supervised 60-minute full-body strength-endurance sessions and mandatory home-based repetitions. The intervention includes warm-ups, main phase exercises (e.g., squats, lunges, HIIT), and cool-downs, with load managed via the Borg Scale. The CG will receive no intervention during the primary phase but will be offered the program post-trial. Assessments occur at baseline, mid-intervention (4 weeks), and post-intervention (8 weeks). Data collection involves both subjective and objective measures. Primary outcomes include cognitive performance assessed via a battery of tests: Simple Reaction Time Tasks (visual and auditory), the Stroop Color and Word Test for cognitive control, the Dot Memory Task for visual spatial memory, and the Cognitive Demand Battery for fatigue and resilience. Physical activity is measured objectively using wrist-worn accelerometers (Axivity AX3) to track steps and activity categories, and subjectively via the European Health Interview Survey–Physical Activity Questionnaire. Secondary outcomes include sitting time (Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire), well-being (WHO-5), quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF), and participant satisfaction (modified ZUF-8). Statistical analysis will utilize mixed ANOVA to compare groups across time points, with sensitivity analyses for missing data. The significance of this study lies in its potential to inform holistic training approaches for esports athletes, addressing both physical health and cognitive performance. By establishing whether structured preventive exercise enhances cognitive functions and reduces sedentary behavior, the findings could support the integration of physical conditioning into esports training regimens. The study adheres to SPIRIT guidelines and ethical standards, with data planned for public release in an anonymized repository, contributing to the growing field of digital health and exercise science.

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• cognitive capacity variation