Stress entropic load as an exploratory thermodynamic indicator of physiological activation during a laboratory gaming task

This exploratory study examines physiological activation and adaptive load in esports players during a standardized laboratory gaming stressor using Stress Entropic Load (SEL), a thermodynamic indicator derived using the Entrant system. It explores differences between amateur and elite players and examines whether long-term esports experience is associated with a different temporal profile of physiological activation. Fifty-five players (35 amateur, 20 elite; ages 15–30) participated in the study. Anthropometric data, body composition, subjective stress (PSS), sleep quality (PSQI), and physical activity (IPAQ) were recorded. The laboratory protocol included 10 min of baseline rest, a 15-min standardized Trackmania task designed to induce time pressure and frustration, and a subsequent recovery period. Participants were not specialists in Trackmania; therefore, the task should be regarded as a laboratory gaming stressor rather than a simulation of title-specific esports competition. SEL was continuously monitored throughout the procedure using the Entrant system. SEL changed significantly across the experimental phases in both groups (main effect of time, p < 0.001). Mean SEL values were descriptively higher in elite players across protocol phases; however, the mixed-effects model showed no statistically significant overall group effect ( p = 0.107). The time × group interaction also did not reach statistical significance ( p = 0.056). Accordingly, the observed between-group pattern is exploratory and should be interpreted as a preliminary trend requiring replication in a larger sample, rather than robust evidence of group separation. These findings should be interpreted as preliminary evidence that SEL may capture changes in physiological activation during a laboratory gaming task; they do not establish SEL as a validated measure of psychological stress or demonstrate an advantage over established physiological markers.