Neurophysiological and Psychophysiological Characteristics of Esports Players During Competitions (Review)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37482/2687-1491-Z255Keywords:
esports players, second-year students, psychophysiological characteristics, cognitive functions, sustained attention, stress adaptationAbstract
In recent years, esports has evolved into a global socio-economic and cultural phenomenon, officially recognized as a sport in a number of countries. Modern disciplines place complex demands on players, including quick sensorimotor reactions, sustained attention, instant decision making, and team coordination. Unlike traditional sports, esports relies primarily on cognitive and psychophysiological resources, as well as the ability to maintain an optimal level of nervous system activation over extended periods with minimal motor activity. The purpose of the study was to systematize and critically analyse current data on the neurophysiological and psychophysiological characteristics of esports players during competitions. The review was conducted as a narrative analysis with elements of systematization of research published between 2007 and 2024. Literature search was performed in international and Russian scientific databases. Combinations of keywords in English and Russian were used. A total of 48 studies meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were analysed. The neurophysiological profile of esports players is characterized by the modulation of alpha and theta EEG rhythms, optimization of event-related potential parameters, enhanced functional integration of the fronto-parietal and parieto-occipital networks, as well as structural changes in the white matter that improve information transmission efficiency. The psychophysiological features of esports players include high resting heart rate variability, more economical sympathetic activation, faster recovery after exertion, optimized hormonal reactivity, and resilience to social and competitive stress. The identified markers can serve as a basis for developing comprehensive readiness monitoring panels, objective selection criteria and personalized training protocols.
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