Gamin’Emerson Eggers (Human Physiology, Senior)
Rob Petrak (Human Physiology, Junior)Josh Wankum (Human Physiology, Junior)
Introduction•Video games are played for a variety of reasons• fun, relaxation, reduce stress, improve mood
•Autonomic nervous system• HR, BP, HRV ratio (LF/HF)
•Expectation: “Temporary” SNS predominance
Methods• 2 Male Subjects
• BIOPAC With EMG Electrodes
• 15 Minute Baseline in Which Last 5 Minutes Were Recorded
• 4 Races, The Last of Which Recorded HR and BP
• BP Was Taken Mid-Race With Automated Blood Pressure Monitor
•Repeated Measures Test Was Ran On All Acquired Data
Results
Repeated Measures Test:
There was no strong difference from resting to racing (t1 = 0.381, p = 0.77), but there was an increase in the mean from 86 to 91 bpm.
848586878889909192
Mean Heart Rate at Rest and while Playing
RestingPlaying
Hear
t Rat
e (b
pm)
Columns represent mean heart rate +/- SD (n = 2 per measurement)
Repeated Measures Test:
The SBP at rest vs racing increased from 124 mmHg to 135 mmHg while DBP increased from 66 mmHg to 86 mmHg. Only SBP was statistically significant (t1 = 21, p < 0.05), DBP (t1 = 3.15, p = 0.20).
SBP DBP0
20406080
100120140160
Mean Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure at Rest and while Playing
RestingPlaying
Bloo
d pr
essu
re (m
mH
g)
Columns represent blood pressure +/- SD (n = 2 per measurement)
Repeated Measures Test:
There was no statistical difference in heart rate variability ratio from resting to racing (t1 = 4.34, p = 0.14). However the figure shows that there was a large increase in the mean values.
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Mean Heart Rate Variability Ratio at Rest and while Playing
RestingPlaying
Hear
t rat
e va
riabi
lity
ratio
Columns represent heart rate variability ratio +/- SD (n = 2 per measurement)
Discussion of Video Game Effects•Graphs accurately correlate to the expected• Not statistically significant
•Reasoning• Competitiveness → anxiety and stress → increase SNS
•Confounding variables • Adderall (made baseline higher thus less room to
increase OR potentially multiplied the increase in SNS)
•Application• Video games beneficial or harmful to health
Discussion of Adderall Effects•Graphs accurately correlate to the expected• Not statistically significant
•Reasoning• Stimulant → increase SNS
SBP DBP0
50
100
150 Blood Pressure
Bloo
d pr
essu
re
(mm
Hg)
02468
1012
HRV RatioHR
V Ra
tio020406080
100Heart Rate
Hear
t rat
e (b
pm)
• There was an increase in heart rate from rest without adderall to rest with adderall (t1 = 27.97, p < 0.05).
Too further assess the autonomic effects of video games more subjects are needed and confounding variables need to be minimized.
Improvements to be made
References1. Strauss, HM. Physiologic mechanism of heart rate
variability. Rev Bras Hipertens vol. 14(1): 8-15, 2007.
AcknowledgmentsSpecial thanks to Ryan Wenzel for taking the time to supervise during data collection