Effects of Arginine Silicate and Inositol Ingestion on Cognitive and Executive Function in Gamers
J Inter Soc Sports Nutr 2022 Volume 19, Issue sup1 Drew Gonzaleza,
Background: Gaming or esports requires quick reactions, executive function, memory, and fine motor skills. Prior reports indicated that ingestion of arginine silicate (ASI) [1] improved the ability to perform complex cognitive tests requiring mental flexibility, processing speed and executive functioning. In addition, ingestion of ASI with 100 mg inositol (I) improved cognitive function in gamers after playing video games for one hour [2]. This study examined whether ASI+I ingestion prior to and following a 1-hour gaming challenge had effects on cognitive function.
Methods: In a double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled, and crossover trial, 26 healthy male and female experienced gamers (23 ± 5 years, 171 ± 11 cm, 73.1 ± 21 kg, 21.1 ± 5 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to consume 1,500 mg of ASI plus 100 mg of I (nooLVL®, Nutrition 21) or 1,600 mg of a maltodextrin placebo control (PLA). Prior to testing participants recorded their diet for 4-days, refrained from consuming atypical amounts of stimulants as well as foods high in arginine and nitrates for 72-hours, and fasted for 8 hours prior to testing. At testing participants completed stimulant sensitivity and side effect questionnaires and performed cognitive function tests (i.e. Berg-Washington Card Sorting task test, Go No-Go test, Sternberg task test, Psychomotor Vigilance task test, Cambridge Brain Sciences Reasoning and Concentration test) and a Neurotracker light reaction test (Pre-SUPP). Participants then ingested one of the two the study treatments in a randomized manner. Fifteen minutes following ingestion, participants repeated tests (Pre-Game). Participants then played their favorite video game for 1-hour and repeated the battery of tests (Post-Game). Participants observed a 7-14-day washout period and then replicated their 4-day diet, pre-experiment controls, and the experiment while consuming the alternative treatment. Data were analyzed by General Linear Model (GLM) univariate analyses with repeated measures using weight as a covariate, paired t-tests (not adjusted to weight), and mean changes from baseline with 95% Confidence Intervals (CI).
Results: Pairwise comparison of the Sternberg test revealed statistically significant results of treatment vs. placebo. This test specifically measures mental reasoning, reaction time and short-term memory recall with the ascending difficulty and complexity of the test, important for gamers. The analysis showed that there was significantly improved Mean Present Reaction Time (ASI+I vs. Placebo; p < 0.05). In Post-Game assessments, 4-letter Absent Reaction Time (p < 0.05), 6-letter Present Reaction Time (p < 0.01), 6-letter Absent Reaction Time (p < 0.01), Mean Present Reaction Time (p < 0.02), and Mean Absent Reaction Time (p < 0.03) were improved with ASI+I vs. placebo, suggesting that participants were able to store and retrieve random information from short-term memory of increasing complexity to a greater degree. Additionally, there was a non-significant trend after 15-min in Pre-Game Sternberg 4-letter Present Reaction time in ASI+I vs. placebo (p < 0.07). There was also evidence from assessing mean changes with 95% CI’s that ASI+I ingestion better maintained changes in Go-No-Go Mean Accuracy and Reaction Time; Psychomotor Vigilance Task Reaction Time; and, Cambridge Post-Game Visuospatial Processing and Planning. However, GLM analysis of all three time points corrected for subject body weight revealed no significant treatment x time interactions in variables, additionally, no significant differences were observed in the Berg-Washington Card Sorting test, the light tracking assessments or the frequency or severity of stimulant sensitivity side effects.
Conclusions: Results provide evidence that ASI+I ingestion prior to playing video games may enhance some measures of short-term memory, reaction time, reasoning, and concentration in experienced gamers. Additional research should further examine the role of ASI+I on cognition, reasoning, and memory in gamers.