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Nutrition, lifestyle, and cognitive performance in esport athletes
Esports, i.e., electronic sports, is a rapidly expanding sporting discipline that demands strong cognitive and attentional skills. Interest in performance improvement tactics has increased as a result of its rising popularity and level of competition. Nutritional or lifestyle choices may enhance the performance of esports athletes, particularly their resilience and cognitive endurance. The Nutrition, Vision, and Cognition in Sports Studies (IONSport) used the 3-dimensional multiple object tracking test (3DMOT) using Neurotracker X (NTx) software to research dietary and behavioral aspects that can affect cognition. This study by Goulart et al. (2023) aimed to characterize high-level esports players’ lifestyles with thorough analyses of their sleeping patterns, diets, physical activity, and their correlation with gaming-related cognitive performance. Over the course of ten days, 103 elite male and 16 female esports competitors aged 16 to 35 completed food records, questionnaires, and cognitive assessments. The participants were told to continue with their regular eating and lifestyle routines. Analysis of the results revealed that average NTx scores were positively significantly correlated with the following nutrients: magnesium, choline, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, zinc, thiamin, selenium, niacin, folate, vitamin B6 and B12, omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, saturated, polyunsaturated, and monounsaturated fats. Most individuals did not consume enough dairy, fruit, or vegetables or fulfill the recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) for these micronutrients. Total vegetable consumption and the mean NTx score had a significant positive correlation. The Stanford Sleepiness Scale score and the last sustained session participants underwent, which assessed cognitive resilience, had a significant negative correlation. Throughout the 18 core NTx sessions, repeated measures analysis was conducted with these groups. The authors noted a statistically significant difference between the two groups, with those who ingested the recommended quantity of protein or more outperforming those who did not throughout the 18 core NTx sessions. For the 18 core NTx sessions, individuals who met the necessary selenium, riboflavin, phosphorus, and vitamin B12 intakes fared noticeably better than those who did not. The authors conclude that, in this group of athletes, there is a justified need for a dietary intervention high in protein, vitamins, and minerals. [NPID: Esports, cognitive performance, protein, micronutrients, athletes, cognition, dairy]
Year: 2023
