Effect of E-Sports Training on Hand Functions and Reaction Time in Young Adults: Randomized Controlled Study

Aim: To examine the effects of first-person shooter (FPS), a type of electronic sport that is increasingly popular, on reaction time, hand grip and pinch strength in healthy young adults when played regularly. Method: Forty-four young adults with similar physical activity levels completed this randomized controlled prospective study. Participants were randomized into the study group (SG) (n=22) and the non-gaming control group (CG) (n=22). While SG played games with the AIM LAB program for 15 minutes a day for 4 weeks, CG did not do any practice. After the demographic characteristics of all participants were noted, their grip strength was evaluated with a hand dynamometer, pinch strength with a pinchmeter, and reaction time with the ruler drop test. All tests were repeated at the end of 4 weeks in SG and CG. Results: The groups were similar in terms of demographic data and baseline evaluations (p>0.05). In SG, significant improvement was observed in strengths and reaction time after 4 weeks of practice compared to baseline (p<0.05). CG showed no improvements in terms of hand grip and pinch strength, and reaction time (p>0.05). There were significant differences between SG and CG in the changes in strength and reaction time values in 4 weeks long period (p<0.05). Conclusion: FPS played regularly for four weeks led to improvements in reaction time, hand grip and pinch strength in young adults. Young adults who want to develop these functional components can play FPS regularly, even if they are not gamers.