Physical activity improves mental well-being in esports practitioners through improved sleep quality and reduced cognitive fatigue
Physical activity (PA) positively predicted mental well-being in esports players, serially mediated by improved sleep quality and reduced cognitive fatigue. SHAP analysis revealed a non-linear dose-response pattern, with the steepest benefits at 600-1,200 MET-min/week and plateauing beyond approximately 1,800 MET-min/week.
This article is automatically generated from the structured evidence profile behind the claim above. Scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical advice.
Physical activity improves mental well-being in esports practitioners through improved sleep quality and reduced cognitive fatigue The current body of evidence comprises 1 study. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 32/100 (low).
The Claim
Physical activity improves mental well-being in esports practitioners through improved sleep quality and reduced cognitive fatigue
This conclusion is most relevant to: 512 collegiate and semi-professional esports practitioners.
What the Research Shows
The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:
- ▸Integrating physical activity into esports practice: predicting mental well-being and cognitive fatigue through a dual SEM-XAI approach. (Frontiers in psychology, 2026) —
How It Works
The proposed biological pathway:
- ▸Physical activity improves sleep quality
- ▸Improved sleep quality reduces cognitive fatigue
- ▸Reduced cognitive fatigue enhances mental well-being
- ▸Result: PA positively predicts mental well-being via serial mediation
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸512 collegiate and semi-professional esports practitioners
Recommended Dose
600-1,200 MET-min/week (steepest benefit zone)
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸Cross-sectional design prevents causal inference
- ▸Self-reported measures may introduce recall bias
- ▸Sample limited to collegiate and semi-professional players, not generalizable to elite professionals
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the optimal amount of physical activity for esports players' mental health?▼
The study suggests 600-1,200 MET-min/week (e.g., about 150-300 minutes of moderate activity) provides the steepest benefits, with diminishing returns beyond 1,800 MET-min/week.
Does physical activity directly improve mental well-being in esports?▼
The effect is indirect: PA improves sleep quality, which reduces cognitive fatigue, and this in turn boosts mental well-being.
Is this study applicable to professional esports athletes?▼
The sample included collegiate and semi-professional players, so results may not fully generalize to elite professionals.
What analytical methods were used in this study?▼
Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) tested mediation and moderation, while Explainable AI (Random Forest with SHAP) identified non-linear dose-response patterns.
References
- 1.Zhou X, Ma R. “Integrating physical activity into esports practice: predicting mental well-being and cognitive fatigue through a dual SEM-XAI approach..” Frontiers in psychology, 2026. PMID: 42516179 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1831947