Araştırma Makalesi

Transfer-Related Cognitive and Learning Profiles Across Predominant MOBA Roles in Novice Esports Players

Cilt: 9 Sayı: 1 22 Ekim 2026
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Transfer-Related Cognitive and Learning Profiles Across Predominant MOBA Roles in Novice Esports Players

Öz

Esports research increasingly recognizes that multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games contain differentiated team roles, yet it remains unclear whether these role differences correspond to cognitive and learning-related profiles beyond immediate gameplay. This exploratory secondary analysis examined whether naturally emerging predominant roles were associated with post-intervention transfer-related outcomes among novice League of Legends players. Here, transfer-related refers to outcomes assessed beyond immediate gameplay and does not imply causal demonstration of transfer. Data came from the experimental arm of an eight-week quasi-experimental intervention requiring at least 18 hours of gameplay. Of 42 experimental participants, one predominantly played jungle and was excluded because this created a single-participant category. The final sample comprised 41 undergraduates classified as top lane (n = 5), mid lane (n = 15), marksman/ADC (n = 12), or support (n = 9). Outcomes included EEG-based attention-related engagement, working-memory-related theta activity, and theta/alpha-based cognitive load recorded during a standardized dual n-back task, together with 21st-century learner skills and content-specific learning performance. After z-standardization, Euclidean distances were analyzed using PERMANOVA with 9,999 permutations, principal coordinates analysis, and a multivariate dispersion diagnostic. The omnibus PERMANOVA did not detect statistically significant role-based differentiation, pseudo-F(3, 37) = 0.941, p = .526, R² = .071. PCoA showed substantial overlap, no statistically detectable dispersion differences were found, and the baseline sensitivity analysis was non-significant. These findings suggest that functional role differentiation within MOBA gameplay should not be assumed to produce corresponding differentiation in transfer-related outcomes among novice players with relatively short role exposure.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Destekleyen Kurum

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency or institution.

Etik Beyan

Ethical approval for the broader doctoral research was obtained from the Anadolu University Social and Human Sciences Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Board (Protocol No. 666358, Decision Date: 28 December 2023). Participation was voluntary, and written informed consent was obtained from all participants before data collection.

Teşekkür

The authors thank all participants who contributed to the broader doctoral research from which the dataset used in this study was derived.

Kaynakça

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  6. Brilliant, T. D., Nouchi, R., & Kawashima, R. (2019). Does video gaming have impacts on the brain: Evidence from a systematic review. Brain Sciences, 9(10), Article 251. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci9100251
  7. Büyüköztürk, Ş. (2021). Sosyal bilimler için veri analizi el kitabı (28. baskı). Pegem Akademi.
  8. Düşkün, B. U., & Ülgen, Z. (2026). Cognitive evaluation in sports and esports: A comparative guide to performance testing. Journal of Sports, Exercise, and Performance, 1(1), 52–83. https://doi.org/10.66614/josep2026.5

Ayrıntılar

Birincil Dil

İngilizce

Konular

Egzersiz ve Spor Bilimleri (Diğer)

Bölüm

Araştırma Makalesi

Yayımlanma Tarihi

22 Ekim 2026

Gönderilme Tarihi

14 Eylül 2026

Kabul Tarihi

15 Ekim 2026

Yayımlandığı Sayı

Yıl 2026 Cilt: 9 Sayı: 1

Kaynak Göster

APA
Boynukara, M., & Dursun, Ö. Ö. (2026). Transfer-Related Cognitive and Learning Profiles Across Predominant MOBA Roles in Novice Esports Players. Mediterranean Journal of Sport Science, 9(1), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.38021/asbid.2039229
AMA
1.Boynukara M, Dursun ÖÖ. Transfer-Related Cognitive and Learning Profiles Across Predominant MOBA Roles in Novice Esports Players. MJSS. 2026;9(1):1-16. doi:10.38021/asbid.2039229
Chicago
Boynukara, Meriç, ve Özcan Özgür Dursun. 2026. “Transfer-Related Cognitive and Learning Profiles Across Predominant MOBA Roles in Novice Esports Players”. Mediterranean Journal of Sport Science 9 (1): 1-16. https://doi.org/10.38021/asbid.2039229.
EndNote
Boynukara M, Dursun ÖÖ (01 Ekim 2026) Transfer-Related Cognitive and Learning Profiles Across Predominant MOBA Roles in Novice Esports Players. Mediterranean Journal of Sport Science 9 1 1–16.
IEEE
[1]M. Boynukara ve Ö. Ö. Dursun, “Transfer-Related Cognitive and Learning Profiles Across Predominant MOBA Roles in Novice Esports Players”, MJSS, c. 9, sy 1, ss. 1–16, Eki. 2026, doi: 10.38021/asbid.2039229.
ISNAD
Boynukara, Meriç - Dursun, Özcan Özgür. “Transfer-Related Cognitive and Learning Profiles Across Predominant MOBA Roles in Novice Esports Players”. Mediterranean Journal of Sport Science 9/1 (01 Ekim 2026): 1-16. https://doi.org/10.38021/asbid.2039229.
JAMA
1.Boynukara M, Dursun ÖÖ. Transfer-Related Cognitive and Learning Profiles Across Predominant MOBA Roles in Novice Esports Players. MJSS. 2026;9:1–16.
MLA
Boynukara, Meriç, ve Özcan Özgür Dursun. “Transfer-Related Cognitive and Learning Profiles Across Predominant MOBA Roles in Novice Esports Players”. Mediterranean Journal of Sport Science, c. 9, sy 1, Ekim 2026, ss. 1-16, doi:10.38021/asbid.2039229.
Vancouver
1.Meriç Boynukara, Özcan Özgür Dursun. Transfer-Related Cognitive and Learning Profiles Across Predominant MOBA Roles in Novice Esports Players. MJSS. 01 Ekim 2026;9(1):1-16. doi:10.38021/asbid.2039229

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