The study investigates the effects of physical warm-up on aiming accuracy in FPS games
In spring 2025, the GamePit Pro esports facility at Jamk University of Applied Sciences will host research measurements aimed at comparing the effects of different physical warm-up methods on aiming performance in FPS games. The data will be collected and analyzed by Topi Kulmakorpi, who studies Biology of Physical Activity at the University of Jyväskylä, and Perttu Leppä, a researcher at Jamk.
A Groundbreaking Research
Topi Kulmakorpi emphasizes that while all esports involve video games, not all video gaming qualifies as esports. In esports, the context is competitive, which means player performance is a key focus. The main goal of the study is to examine how physical warm-ups impact the aiming accuracy of competitive gamers, a topic that has been scarcely researched so far. The researchers are motivated not only by the scientific aspect but also by the chance to contribute to the culture of the growing esports field. Kulmakorpi and Leppä believe that evidence-based optimization of training can significantly enhance player performance in a cost-effective way. The data will contribute to Kulmakorpi’s Master’s thesis and a related academic publication written by the researchers.
” If a 10-minute physical warm-up becomes a standard part of esports routines, it could also serve as a fantastic way to get young people in Finland and around the world moving. “
researcher Perttu Leppä
The video games chosen for the study are Counter-Strike 2 and Valorant, both of which aligned well with the frame of the research. These games also enjoy large global player bases, ensuring enough willing participants in the Jyväskylä area. Each competitive player who signed up will participate in the study three separate times at GamePit Pro facility. Before each session, the player will either perform an endurance warm-up, a reaction warm-up, or go directly to the measurement station without any warm-up. The type of warm-up will be randomly selected for each session.
Aiming for Optimal In-Game Performance
Kulmakorpi and Leppä are excited about the research design because it represents the first study focused specifically on how physical exercise impacts aiming abilities. Kulmakorpi explains that while there have been studies on how physical activity affects cognitive performance, the specific effects of warm-ups on esports performance metrics like aiming accuracy haven’t been explored.
According to Kulmakorpi, the endurance warm-up selected for the study has both short-term and long-term effects, previously studied in the context of cognitive performance. Endurance exercise is known to influence cognitive functions, which also play a key role in aiming accuracy within games.
Researcher Perttu Leppä adds that there isn’t plenty of existing research data on the reaction warm-up. However, the method is based on the idea that hand-eye coordination is essential for aiming performance in esports. The goal of the reaction warm-up is to raise body temperature and heart rate while activating the sympathetic nervous system. These drills may also enhance coordination and reaction speed, providing a competitive advantage in gameplay.
” In esports, the margin between winning and losing is often razor-thin, which means that physical warm-up can provide players with a clear competitive edge “
Researcher Topi Kulmakorpi
Strengthening the Esports Industry Through Research
There has been a growing number of research initiatives related to esports in recent years. According to Kulmakorpi, this increase has sometimes led to the notion that quantity can replace quality, with insufficient attention paid to coherent research design. This makes it hard to draw useful conclusions for esports organizations and competitive players. “By investing in high-quality and consistent research, we can also better account for individual differences. It’s likely that our study won’t highlight a single optimal warm-up routine, but rather help us discover the best performance-enhancing strategies for each individual player,” Kulmakorpi explains.
The study, conducted by Kulmakorpi and Leppä, is a part of a broader movement to develop the structure and practices of the esports industry, where competitive gaming is increasingly viewed through the lens of elite sports, coaching, and exercise science. As competitive gaming continues to grow in global popularity, so too does the need to understand how elite player performance and holistic well-being can be supported—even in a digital environment.
READ MORE
The study investigates the effects of physical warm-up on aiming accuracy in FPS games
In spring 2025, research measurements will be conducted at GamePit Pro to analyze how different forms of physical warm-up impact aiming performance in FPS games, using the data collected.
Ideas for e-football from the InnoFlash course
The InnoFlash week gathered Jamk students for an esports-themed assignment. Eight teams prepared a total of 24 concepts aimed at engaging new interested members to join football clubs through e-football.
Stage142 returns to Jamk in April!
Stage142, will gather the LAN crowd to Jamk main campus once again from April 4th to 6th! The event is organized by Jyväskylä Esport Association.
Greetings from Joutsa gaming space!
The opening of the new gaming space, located next to the youth café, was celebrated in Joutsa on Thursday, February 13. The new gaming space is a significant addition to the development of youth services and the gaming community in Joutsa.