Investigation of the Effects of Recreational Esports Players’ Nighttime Gaming Frequency on Chronotype and Sleep Quality

Öz

Purpose: The lifestyle habits of recreational esports players are a current topic of research. The number of studies examining the sleep quality and chronotype characteristics of these individuals is increasing. This study aimed to examine the relationships among nighttime gaming frequency, chronotype, and sleep quality in recreational esports players. 

Methods: Study included 101 university students who had been engaged in esports for at least one year (male: n=68, age=22.65±4.58; female: n=33, age=21.73±2.27). Participants’ demographic information and nighttime gaming frequency were collected using a data form. Additionally, participants’ sleep qualities and chronotypes were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ). Survey scores for groups with high and low frequencies of nighttime gaming were compared using a T-test or a Mann-Whitney U-test. The ordinal data were compared using the chi-square test.

Results: No significant difference was observed in PSQI scores. While no significant difference was observed in MEQ scores for women, it was found that men who played games more frequently at night had lower MEQ scores (tendency toward evening-type) (p<0.05). Chi-square test results indicated that participants with an evening chronotype played games more frequently at night (p<0.01) and tended to have poor sleep quality (p<0.05). Chi-square test results showed no significant relation between sleep quality and the frequency of nighttime gaming. 

Conclusion: Findings indicated that participants with an evening chronotype exhibited poorer sleep quality and more frequent nighttime gaming. It is recommended that esports players/coaches take individuals’ chronotype characteristics into account when planning training sessions.