The Effect of Executive Function Load on Reaction Time in E-Sports Players

Serdar Demirci; Sudenaz Yılmaz; Utku Berberoğlu; Cevher Savcun Demirci; Arda Aktaş; Ayşe Numanoğlu Akbaş

doi:10.53424/balikesirsbd.1913129

The Effect of Executive Function Load on Reaction Time in E-Sports Players

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to examine the effect of executive function load on reaction time in e-sports players and to compare their performance with an age-matched control group. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional controlled study included 30 competitive e-sports players and 30 healthy age-matched controls. Reaction time was assessed using the BlazePod system under four conditions: simple reaction time (SRT), choice reaction time (CRT), motor dual-task reaction time (MDRT), and cognitive dual-task reaction time (CDRT). Descriptive statistics were reported as mean ± standard deviation. Group differences were analyzed using independent samples t-tests. A 2 × 4 mixed-design ANOVA was conducted with group (e-sports vs. control) as the between-subject factor and task condition as the within-subject factor. Bonferroni-adjusted post-hoc tests were applied where appropriate. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: E-sports players demonstrated significantly shorter reaction times than controls in all conditions: SRT (291.5 ± 67.3 vs. 413.4 ± 94.1 ms, p<0.001, d=1.48), CRT (443.3 ± 173.6 vs. 618.4 ± 199.3 ms, p<0.001, d=0.93), MDRT (446.4 ± 115.0 vs. 616.2 ± 251.6 ms, p=0.001, d=0.86), and CDRT (490.9 ± 183.4 vs. 622.3 ± 223.8 ms, p=0.016, d=0.64). A significant main effect of task condition was observed (F(3,174) = 31.726, p<0.001, η²p=0.354), while the group × task interaction was not significant (F(3,174) = 0.641, p=0.590, η²p=0.011). Post-hoc analysis showed SRT was significantly shorter than all other conditions (p<0.001), with no differences among dual-task conditions. Error rates did not differ between groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: E-sports players exhibited shorter reaction times than controls across all conditions. Increased task load prolonged reaction time similarly in both groups.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This study was supported by TUBİTAK, 2209-A Programme.

Ethical Statement

The study was approved by the Non-Interventional Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee of Balıkesir University Date: 01.10.2024 Approval no: 2024/169

Thanks

This study was supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK), 2209-A Programme (Project No: 1919B012334124).

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Sports Training, Physical Training and Sports, Sports Science and Exercise (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Serdar Demirci ^*
0000-0002-7296-7101
Türkiye

Sudenaz Yılmaz
0009-0001-0555-3873
Türkiye

Utku Berberoğlu
0000-0002-4850-369X
Türkiye

Cevher Savcun Demirci
0000-0002-8786-7496
Türkiye

Arda Aktaş
0000-0002-2503-8027
Türkiye

Ayşe Numanoğlu Akbaş
0000-0001-9296-8972
Türkiye

Publication Date

June 30, 2026

Submission Date

March 19, 2026

Acceptance Date

May 4, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 15 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.53424/balikesirsbd.1913129

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA29TZ93LN

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Demirci, S., Yılmaz, S., Berberoğlu, U., Savcun Demirci, C., Aktaş, A., & Numanoğlu Akbaş, A. (2026). The Effect of Executive Function Load on Reaction Time in E-Sports Players. Balıkesir Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 15(2), 418-424. https://doi.org/10.53424/balikesirsbd.1913129

AMA

1.Demirci S, Yılmaz S, Berberoğlu U, Savcun Demirci C, Aktaş A, Numanoğlu Akbaş A. The Effect of Executive Function Load on Reaction Time in E-Sports Players. BAUN Health Sci J. 2026;15(2):418-424. doi:10.53424/balikesirsbd.1913129

Chicago

Demirci, Serdar, Sudenaz Yılmaz, Utku Berberoğlu, Cevher Savcun Demirci, Arda Aktaş, and Ayşe Numanoğlu Akbaş. 2026. “The Effect of Executive Function Load on Reaction Time in E-Sports Players”. Balıkesir Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 15 (2): 418-24. https://doi.org/10.53424/balikesirsbd.1913129.

EndNote

Demirci S, Yılmaz S, Berberoğlu U, Savcun Demirci C, Aktaş A, Numanoğlu Akbaş A (June 1, 2026) The Effect of Executive Function Load on Reaction Time in E-Sports Players. Balıkesir Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 15 2 418–424.

IEEE

[1]S. Demirci, S. Yılmaz, U. Berberoğlu, C. Savcun Demirci, A. Aktaş, and A. Numanoğlu Akbaş, “The Effect of Executive Function Load on Reaction Time in E-Sports Players”, BAUN Health Sci J, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 418–424, June 2026, doi: 10.53424/balikesirsbd.1913129.

ISNAD

Demirci, Serdar - Yılmaz, Sudenaz - Berberoğlu, Utku - Savcun Demirci, Cevher - Aktaş, Arda - Numanoğlu Akbaş, Ayşe. “The Effect of Executive Function Load on Reaction Time in E-Sports Players”. Balıkesir Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 15/2 (June 1, 2026): 418-424. https://doi.org/10.53424/balikesirsbd.1913129.

JAMA

1.Demirci S, Yılmaz S, Berberoğlu U, Savcun Demirci C, Aktaş A, Numanoğlu Akbaş A. The Effect of Executive Function Load on Reaction Time in E-Sports Players. BAUN Health Sci J. 2026;15:418–424.

MLA

Demirci, Serdar, et al. “The Effect of Executive Function Load on Reaction Time in E-Sports Players”. Balıkesir Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, vol. 15, no. 2, June 2026, pp. 418-24, doi:10.53424/balikesirsbd.1913129.

Vancouver

1.Serdar Demirci, Sudenaz Yılmaz, Utku Berberoğlu, Cevher Savcun Demirci, Arda Aktaş, Ayşe Numanoğlu Akbaş. The Effect of Executive Function Load on Reaction Time in E-Sports Players. BAUN Health Sci J. 2026 Jun. 1;15(2):418-24. doi:10.53424/balikesirsbd.1913129