How Caffeine Can Give You an Edge in e-Sports

Caffeine is the most widely consumed psychoactive substance in the world, and many people rely on it to boost their energy, alertness, and mood. But caffeine may also have a more specific benefit for competitive gamers: enhancing their reaction time and shooting accuracy.

“01.94.2012 – Caffeine” by Jlhopgood is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0

A recent study published in the journal Nutrients investigated the effects of caffeine supplementation on the performance of elite e-sports players, who compete in video games that require high levels of cognitive and motor skills. The researchers recruited 20 professional Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) players, who were randomly assigned to receive either a placebo or a caffeine dose of 3 mg/kg body weight, equivalent to about two cups of coffee for an average person.

The players then completed a series of tests to measure their reaction time, attention, memory, and mood, as well as their in-game performance in CS:GO, which involved shooting at moving targets and enemies. The tests were repeated after one hour and two hours of caffeine ingestion.

The results showed that caffeine significantly improved the players’ reaction time, both in the laboratory tests and in the game. The caffeine group also had higher scores in the shooting accuracy and kills per round metrics in CS:GO, compared to the placebo group. The caffeine group also reported feeling more alert, focused, and energetic than the placebo group.

The researchers concluded that caffeine supplementation of 3 mg/kg can enhance the performance of elite e-sports players, by improving their reaction and shooting skills. They suggested that caffeine may act by stimulating the central nervous system, increasing the availability of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine, and reducing the perception of fatigue and pain.

Nine male eSports athletes, averaging 20.8 years, took part in a study on the effects of 3 mg/kg of caffeine consumed one hour before gaming. The study, conducted from 01/01/2022 to 30/04/2022, included familiarization tests. Participants met specific criteria and were randomly assigned to caffeine or placebo groups. They limited daily caffeine intake, followed a specific procedure, and underwent various tests. Statistical analyses showed significant improvements in reaction times, visual search, and shooting abilities after caffeine ingestion. The study suggests the potential benefits of caffeine for enhancing eSports performance.

The study is one of the first to examine the effects of caffeine on e-sports performance, and it adds to the growing body of evidence that caffeine can improve various aspects of cognitive and physical performance. However, the researchers also noted some limitations of their study, such as the small sample size, the lack of a control group, and the possible influence of individual differences in caffeine sensitivity and tolerance.

They also warned that excessive caffeine intake may have negative consequences, such as anxiety, insomnia, and cardiovascular problems. Therefore, they advised e-sports players to consume caffeine in moderation, and to consider other factors that may affect their performance, such as sleep, nutrition, hydration, and training.