Performance psychology of esports: A systematic review

Publication: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution - Published abstract for conference with selection processResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Competitive gaming, or better known as eSports (electronic sports), is rapidly growing in popularity and is identified by fundamental characteristics of performance coming from different domains, such as sports, arts, music, warfighters etc. Consequently, the aim of the present study was to systematically review the available literature on eSports using the evidence-based reporting checklist PRISMA and PICOS model. Thus, our review covered the period of 1994-2018 and focused on empirical investigations. We only consider the studies involving eSports games if they were associated with either cognitive performance or eSports game performance. So far, a few attempts at reviewing the literature of eSports and video gaming exist (e,g., Mora-Cantallops., & Sicilia, 2018; Bediou et al., 2018; Bányai et al., 2018), however, there is not yet a quality report defining and differentiating the empirical research of eSports from general video gaming related to performance and competition. Therefore, the added value of our systematic review was twofold: First, to propose a comprehensive definition of eSports with the aim to address the issues found in previous definitions; second, to define and propose the concepts of eSports psychology and eSports performance, aiming to build a structure by proposing specific performance indicators and differentiating eSports from general video gaming. Clearly defining the theoretical foundations of eSports performance and the underlying differences with video gaming will facilitate the proper direction for the upcoming empirical research and the development of proper practice for those who want to go on the field.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAbstract book : 50 years of FEPSAC. 15th European congress of sport & exercise psychology, Münster, Germany, 15-20 July 2019
EditorsBernd Strauss, Barbara Halberschmidt, Till Utesch, Dennis Dreiskämper, Sebastian Brückner, Maike Tietjens, Vera Storm, Linda Schücker, Friederike Rosenfeld, Charlotte Raue, Stijn Mentzel, Meike Kolb, Lena Henning, Lena Busch
Number of pages1
Place of PublicationMünster
PublisherDepartment of Sport and Exercise Psychology, University of Muenster
Publication date2019
Pages159
Publication statusPublished - 2019
EventFEPSAC 2019 - 15th European congress of sport & exercise psychology: Building the future of sport & exercise psychology - Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
Duration: 15.07.201920.07.2019
Conference number: 15
https://www.fepsac2019.eu/

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