Can different exercise modalities improve esports performance? Study protocol for a 12-week three-arm randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Growing evidence indicates a positive association between physical exercise and both cognitive functions and gaming performance in esports players. However, most existing studies focus on acute or short-term effects and are limited by small sample sizes and a lack of follow-up assessments. Furthermore, comparisons between different exercise modalities remain largely unexplored. Therefore, longitudinal studies comparing optimal exercise protocols and their sustained effects on esports performance are critically needed. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to: (1) investigate and compare the long-term effects of 12-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on various dimensions of esports performance in first-person shooter (FPS) gamers; (2) examine the sustainability of these effects through a 4-week follow-up assessment; and (3) explore the potential associations between physical competence, psychological skills, and gaming performance. METHODS: In this three-arm randomized controlled trial, 195 FPS gamers (aged 18-29) will be randomly assigned to HIIT, MICT, or control groups. Interventions consist of three weekly sessions for 12 weeks (HIIT: 10 × 1-minute high-intensity bouts interspersed with 1-minute active recovery; MICT: 20-minute continuous moderate-intensity exercise). The primary outcome is flicking capacity (a core metric of esports performance). Secondary outcomes include other gaming operational metrics, esports-related psychological skills, body composition, and physical competence. All outcomes will be assessed at baseline, post-intervention (12 weeks), and follow-up (16 weeks). DISCUSSION: This protocol outlines a standardized longitudinal framework to address the critical lack of evidence-based esports training guidelines. Anticipated findings will further validate the benefits of physical exercise on esports performance, providing essential long-term empirical evidence for integrating optimal exercise modalities into esports training regimens. Furthermore, exploring the associations between physical competence, psychological skills, and operational performance will offer insights into the behavioral pathways of performance enhancement. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT07150312). Registered on Aug 29, 2025.