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How Long Is Too Long? Effects of Mobile Game Duration on Stress and Cognitive Function by Gender
Amornpan Ajjimaporn1, Preawpan Buaprapahn1, Premika Senwandee1
1College of Sports Science and Technology, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.
International Journal of Exercise Science
|April 20, 2026
Summary
Short mobile gaming sessions boost attention with minimal stress. However, prolonged play increases stress, especially in females, and reduces cognitive benefits, impacting young adults.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Human-Computer Interaction
Background:
- Mobile gaming's popularity among young adults necessitates understanding its impact on stress and cognition.
- Previous research has not clearly defined the effects of varying mobile gaming durations and gender on psychological and cognitive outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the acute effects of mobile gaming session duration on heart rate, stress, selective attention, and visual short-term memory.
- To examine potential gender differences in these effects among university students playing a popular online battle arena game.
Main Methods:
- A randomized crossover trial involving 20 university students (10 males, 10 females) playing Realm of Valor (ROV) for approximately 1 hour (3 games) and 3 hours (7 games).
- Measurements included heart rate, stress (Suanprung Stress Test-20), selective attention (Stroop Test), and visual short-term memory (CogniFit task) assessed pre- and post-gaming.
- Standardized, investigator-monitored protocols were used in participants' home environments with a 7-day washout period between sessions.
Main Results:
- Heart rate significantly increased post-gaming, irrespective of session duration.
- Stress levels elevated only after the longer gaming session, with females reporting greater increases than males.
- Selective attention improved after the shorter session but not the longer one, with greater gains in the 1-hour condition.
- Visual short-term memory performance showed no significant differences based on gaming duration.
Conclusions:
- Short mobile gaming sessions (approx. 1 hour) may offer attentional benefits with minimal stress induction.
- Prolonged mobile gaming (approx. 3 hours) is associated with increased stress, particularly in females, and can negate cognitive performance enhancements.
- Findings highlight the importance of gaming duration and gender in modulating the psychological and cognitive effects of mobile gaming.
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