Examining Physiological Changes during Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Performance in Recreational Male Esports Players

Abstract

While the training of professional sports athletes and the factors determining sports success are based on well-established scientific research, esports training and markers of esports performance are not yet fully recognized or explored. Knowledge of the psychophysiological responses of the athlete’s body to esports competition is the necessary foundation for rational training management. The aim of the present study was to evaluate physiological stress while playing Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO). Selected cardiovascular, hormonal, and biochemical indices were monitored to assess differences in stress responses between winners and losers. Twenty-two male players participated in the study (age 22.0 ± 2.0 years, CS:GO training experience 7.0 ± 2.2 years, training load 24.6 ± 11.5 h per week). Each player played two games during the CS:GO competition. The CS:GO tournament induced an increase in heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure, and blood cortisol levels (C), and a decrease in the nonlinear heart rate variability (HRV) index based on the fractal correlation properties, called alpha1, of detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA-alpha1). In contrast, no changes were observed in blood levels of testosterone (T) and lactate (BLa). It was found that changes in physiological indices in players while playing CS:GO did not differentiate between winners and losers. The changes in the physiological parameters recorded during play indicate that CS:GO tournaments induce significant physiological arousal and can be considered a stressor.