The Effects of Excessive Arousing Video Gaming on vmHRV During Sleep in Habitual Gamers

This study examines the impact of highly arousing video gaming compared to passive digital media consumption on vagally-mediated heart rate variability (vmHRV) and heart rate (HR) during subsequent sleep in healthy young men. Using a randomized, counterbalanced within-subject design, 31 habitual gamers (mean age: 23 years; BMI: 25.68; gaming experience: 8.69 years; daily gaming time: 1.96 h) alternated between two conditions: 120 min of evening video gaming or watching a nature film of equivalent duration, on two consecutive days per condition. Electrocardiogram (ECG) data collected during sleep revealed that while both conditions were associated with an increase in vmHRV, indicative of parasympathetic recovery, this increase was significantly greater following the film condition (RMSSD: t(446.1) = 2.05, p = 0.04; HF-HRV: t(446.1) = 2.00, p = 0.05). The marginal R² values (RMSSD: 0.051, HF-HRV: 0.042) indicate that while the effect is present, it is moderate. No significant differences in HR were detected between conditions, supporting the idea that vmHRV is a more sensitive marker of autonomic modulation than HR. These findings underscore the potential of evening digital activity to modulate autonomic recovery processes. Specifically, highly stimulating gaming may impede parasympathetic activation, compared to the restorative effects of passive media consumption. This study contributes to the understanding of physiological responses to digital engagement and highlights the importance of mindful pre-sleep activities.