Effects of Caffeine, L-Theanine, and Diaphragmatic Breathing on Esports Players' Performance (CLD Esports St)

Can L-Theanine Supplementation or Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercises in Addition to Caffeine Supplementation Be Used as Ergogenic Aids to Influence Game Performance in Esports Players?

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether caffeine, L-theanine (a natural amino acid found in tea), and diaphragmatic breathing exercises can help improve the game performance of esports players. Esports players often need fast reaction times, high accuracy, and mental focus during competitive gaming. This study will look at how caffeine and L-theanine supplements, either separately or together, and breathing exercises impact key performance factors like reaction time and accuracy during gameplay. The goal is to determine if these strategies can help esports players perform better by reducing stress, improving concentration, and speeding up reaction times. The findings could help inform safe, effective methods to enhance cognitive and physical performance in gaming.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Caffeine; L-theanine; Esports
• Intervention / Treatment: Dietary supplement: Intervention 1: Dietary Supplement - Caffeine Supplement; Dietary supplement: Intervention 2: Dietary Supplement - Caffeine + L-Theanine Supplement; Behavioral: Intervention 3: Dietary Supplement - Caffeine Supplement + Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercises

Detailed Description

This study explores the effects of caffeine, L-theanine supplementation, and diaphragmatic breathing exercises on esports players' game performance, focusing on reaction time and accuracy. Caffeine is widely recognized for its stimulating effects, improving attention and reducing fatigue, while L-theanine, found in tea, is known to reduce stress and balance the effects of caffeine. Diaphragmatic breathing exercises are designed to lower stress levels, improve focus, and enhance cognitive function.

The study utilizes a randomized, single-blind crossover design, where participants-esports players aged 18-30-will undergo three different interventions: caffeine only, caffeine combined with L-theanine, and caffeine combined with diaphragmatic breathing exercises. Performance outcomes, including reaction time and accuracy, will be assessed using game-based software and tests. Participants will have their performance measured before and after each intervention, allowing for comparison between the different strategies.

This study aims to determine whether these supplements and exercises, alone or in combination, can serve as effective ergogenic aids, helping esports players optimize their performance by improving cognitive and motor skills, while also reducing stress. These findings could have broader applications for enhancing mental performance in competitive environments.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 15
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey
  • Balıkesir, Turkey
    • Bandirma Onyedi Eylül University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male esports players aged 18-30.
• Actively involved in esports for at least 6 hours per week for a minimum of 6 months.
• Low caffeine consumption (less than 80 mg per day).
• Low L-theanine consumption (less than 100 mg per day).
• Non-smokers or those who do not use tobacco products.
• No recent history of upper extremity surgery.
• No known allergies to caffeine or L-theanine.
• No neurological, visual, or auditory disorders.
• No use of drugs or performance-enhancing supplements within the past month.
• No alcohol consumption within the past week.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Use of stimulant medications.
• History of upper extremity surgery.
• Diagnosed neurological, visual, or auditory disorders.
• Allergy to caffeine or L-theanine.
• Use of drugs or performance-enhancing supplements within the past month.
• Regular tobacco use.
• Consumption of alcohol in the past week.
• Inconsistent sleep patterns or difficulty following standardized sleep and hydration guidelines.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Basic Science
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Caffeine Only Arm; Participants receive a caffeine supplement only.	Dietary supplement: Intervention 1: Dietary Supplement - Caffeine Supplement; Participants in this group will receive a caffeine supplement (3 mg/kg body weight) taken orally 45 minutes before performance testing. No additional interventions will be administered.
Experimental: Caffeine + L-Theanine Arm; Participants receive a combination of caffeine and L-theanine supplements.	Dietary supplement: Intervention 2: Dietary Supplement - Caffeine + L-Theanine Supplement; Participants in this group will receive a caffeine supplement (3 mg/kg body weight) along with L-theanine in a 1:2 ratio taken orally 45 minutes before performance testing.
Experimental: Caffeine + Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercises Arm; Participants receive a caffeine supplement and perform diaphragmatic breathing exercises.	Behavioral: Intervention 3: Dietary Supplement - Caffeine Supplement + Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercises; Participants in this group will receive a caffeine supplement (3 mg/kg body weight) 45 minutes before performance testing, followed by a 10-minute session of diaphragmatic breathing exercises.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Reaction Time	The time it takes for participants to respond to visual and auditory stimuli during gaming, measured in milliseconds using Aim Lab and other standardized reaction time tests.	Reaction time will be assessed immediately before each intervention and at two time points after each intervention (at 45 minutes and 2 hours post-intervention) on each of the three study days.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Hacettepe University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): May 1, 2023
• Primary Completion (Actual): September 24, 2024
• Study Completion (Actual): September 26, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 26, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 27, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): October 1, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): October 1, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 27, 2024
• Last Verified: September 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Caffeine; Diaphragmatic Breathing; L-Theanine; Esports
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Respiration Disorders; Respiratory Aspiration; Physiological Effects of Drugs; Neurotransmitter Agents; Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action; Enzyme Inhibitors; Purinergic Antagonists; Purinergic Agents; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; Purinergic P1 Receptor Antagonists; Central Nervous System Stimulants; Caffeine
• Other Study ID Numbers: Hacettepe123; 123456789 (Bandirma Onyedi Eylul University)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: No, there is no plan to share IPD with other researchers.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No