Effects of arginine and inositol supplementation on cognition, mood states and mental performance in video players.
In this prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study, the effects of a food supplement containing an inositol-enhanced arginine silicate on e-Sports performances was evaluated among 60 healthy men and women who spent 5 or more hours a week playing video games. Subjects were supplemented with either 1500 mg/d Inositol stabilized arginine silicate + 100 mg/d of additional inositol or placebo, during 7 days.
Results showed that self-reported energy levels increased, anger decreased, and Trail Making Test-B test errors decreased in the supplement group compared to placebo (p < 0.05). Fatigue, Trail Making Test-B time, and Trail Making Test B-A score improved in the supplement group compared to baseline (p < 0.05). After 60 min of gaming, supplementation decreased Stroop Test errors and Trail Making Test-A time (p < 0.05). Adverse events were minimal and not different between groups.
In conclusion, these data appear to support the use of inositol-enhanced arginine silicate in eSports gamers to improve accuracy, decision making, and reaction time during gaming.
Tartar JL, Kalman D, Hewlings S. A Prospective Study Evaluating the Effects of a Nutritional Supplement Intervention on Cognition, Mood States, and Mental Performance in Video Gamers. Nutrients. 2019 Oct 1;11(10).