The use of heart rate variability in esports: a systematic review

Welsh, M. R., Mosley, E., Laborde, S., Day, M. C., Sharpe, B. T., Burkill, R. A. and Birch, P. D. J. (2023) The use of heart rate variability in esports: a systematic review. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 69. pp. 1-38. ISSN 1469-0292

[thumbnail of © 2023 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Welsh, M.R., Mosley, E., et al, The use of heart rate variability in esports: A systematic review, Psychology of Sport & Exercise (2023), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2023.102495.] Text (© 2023 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Welsh, M.R., Mosley, E., et al, The use of heart rate variability in esports: A systematic review, Psychology of Sport & Exercise (2023), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2023.102495.)
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Abstract

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a psychophysiological measure of particular interest in esports due to its potential to monitor player self-regulation. This study aimed to systematically review the utilisation of HRV in esports. Consideration was given to the methodological and theoretical underpinnings of previous works to provide recommendations for future research. The protocol was made available on the Open Science Framework. Inclusion criteria were empirical studies, examining HRV in esports, using esports players, published in English. Exclusion criteria were non-peer-reviewed studies, populations with pre-existing clinical illness other than Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD), opinion pieces or review papers. In November 2022 a search of Web of Science, PubMed and EBSCOHost identified seven studies using HRV in esports. Risk of bias was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Narrative review identified two primary uses of HRV, investigating stress response and IGD in esports. A lack of theoretical and methodological underpinning was identified as a major limitation of current literature. Further investigation is necessary before making recommendations regarding the use of HRV in esports. Future research should employ sound theoretical underpinning such as the use of vagally mediated HRV and the robust application of supporting methodological guidelines when investigating HRV in esports.

Publication Type: Articles
Uncontrolled Keywords: Psychophysiology, Self-regulation, Parasympathetic activity, Cardiac vagal activity, Competitive gaming, Stress
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Q Science > QP Physiology
R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC1200 Sports Medicine
Divisions: Academic Areas > Institute of Sport > Area > Sport and Exercise Psychology and Research Methods
Research Entities > Centre for Health and Allied Sport and Exercise Science Research (CHASER)
Research Entities > POWER Centre
Academic Areas > Institute of Sport > Research Theme > Enhancing Sport Performance
Academic Areas > Institute of Sport > Research Theme > Health and Well-Being
Depositing User: Matthew Welsh
Date Deposited: 25 Jul 2023 11:28
Last Modified: 04 Jun 2024 15:12
URI: https://eprints.chi.ac.uk/id/eprint/6988

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