Anxiety, Heart Rate and Reaction Time of First-Person Shooter Players

Pua, Li Kai (2023) Anxiety, Heart Rate and Reaction Time of First-Person Shooter Players. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology.

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Abstract

The purpose of this study is to describe the anxiety, heart rate responses, and reaction time before and after a simulated FPS competition. A total of 25 participants were split into two groups based on their rank (Low ranked group: N=14; Age= 22.21±0.89 years; Weekly time spent= 5.21±3.49 hours; Years of experience=5.57±4.05 years; High ranked group: N=11; Age= 22.18±0.4 years; Weekly time spent= 7.91±3.3 hours; Years of experience= 11.18±4.29 years) who were in the TARUMT Interactive Gaming Society. The study involves observing the participants while they play 3 matches of Valorant. Heart rate measurements were taken before and after the gaming session using Polar smartwatch, while reaction time was assessed through a Vienna Test System. Additionally, anxiety levels were evaluated using the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2). The results showed a significant difference in heart rate before and after the FPS game (P <0.001) which is likely a physiological change due to catecholamines. Other than that, cognitive anxiety score showed a significant change after playing the matches (P=0.036), as such it can be said that the competitive situation in Esports can cause tension and concern. These findings contribute to the understanding of the physiological and cognitive aspects of FPS gaming and provide insights into the potential effects of gaming on anxiety, heart rate, and reaction time in a competitive context.