Digital Commons Network^™

Elite Esports Players And Their Physical Health: A Systematic Review Of Injuries, Musculoskeletal Pain, And Fitness-Related Factors, Michal Steffl, Daniel Opelik, Vladimir Hlinka, Grzegorz Mikrut, Petra Hospodkova

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The rapid rise of competitive esports has sparked concerns over the physical health of elite players. Prolonged sedentary behaviour, repetitive movements, and poor ergonomic practices may predispose these athletes to injuries, musculoskeletal pain, and unfavourable body composition. Materials and methods: A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines was conducted by searching Pub-Med, Scopus, EBSCOhost, and Web of Science for cross-sectional studies on physical activity (PA), body composition, physical fitness, and musculoskeletal health in elite esports players. Data from 22 peer-reviewed studies involving 5,035 participants aged 16 to 35 were synthesized. Results: Findings consistently show that esports players engage in lower …

Navigating Trust: The Impact Of Social Media Influencers On Gen Z Health Behaviors, Abigail Stelling

Honors Thesis

Social media plays a defining role in the daily lives of Gen Z, influencing how people communicate, access information, and make decisions. More than a form of entertainment, social media is a powerful source that shapes identity, perceptions, and behaviors. As the first generation to grow up fully immersed in a digital world, Gen Z is uniquely impacted by the content and interactions that occur on social media platforms. Within this digital landscape, social media influencers have emerged as powerful figures. These individuals use large online platforms to promote lifestyles, products, and behaviors. Influencers often have the ability to shape …

Family Perspectives: A Qualitative Examination Of College Athlete Suicide During The Spring 2022 Semester, Elaine M. Anton-Lotruglio, Sophia M. Burke, Kimberly H. Mcmanama O'Brien

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

Objective: Suicide among college athletes remains largely underexplored despite rising rates. This qualitative study aimed to explore family members' perspectives on why their loved ones died by suicide. Participants: The study included family members (N=10) of three college athletes who died by suicide in the spring 2022 semester. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted between March and July 2024. ATLAS.ti and Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis were employed to analyze the data and identify themes. Results: The data revealed three primary themes: factors contributing to the suicide crisis, presence of a suicide crisis, and university crisis response. The themes suggested a …

Marching Health From Music To Injury: The Implications Of Marching Band Athletic Training Accessibility, Madelyn Liebhardt

Honors Projects

The following study explores the importance and need of athletic trainers (ATs) in marching band settings. Athletic Training is an essential backbone to many sports programs worldwide. Athletic Trainers are commonly seen as active staff members for many high school, collegiate, professional teams as well as in clinical office sites. Athletic Trainers are also staffed in non-traditional settings such as corporate settings, performing arts, military branches. Marching bands are categorized under non-traditional sports settings and ATs are becoming more highly preferred in this area. This study follows the Bowling Green State University (BGSU) Falcon Marching Band (FMB) during the 2025 …

Association Between Superstition Levels On Sports-Specific Success Motivation In Active Athletes: A Study In Ankara Province ​, Canan Sayin Temur

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: When athletes perceive themselves as strong, they may seek to maintain their motivation through the control of random external factors. The present study examines the effect of superstitions on sports-specific success motivation among active athletes.

Materials and methods: The research population consisted of licensed athletes in the athletics branch, while the sample comprised licensed and active athletes based in Ankara. A total of 408 athletes participated in the research, including 201 women, and 207 men. The participants completed a three-part questionnaire consisting of a Personal Information Form, the Motivation in Sports Scale, and the Superstitious Beliefs and Behaviors in …

Health Insurance Literacy Among College Students At The University Of South Carolina, Emma J. Smith, Lorie Donelle Phd, Rn, Fcan, Robin Dawson

Caroliniana Undergraduate Research Journal

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the health insurance literacy skills of graduate college students and undergraduate college students.

Methods: A cross-sectional research design incorporated a 20-item questionnaire to examine college students’ knowledge of common health insurance terms and definitions, as well as their perceived understanding of health insurance. Descriptive analyses were conducted of participant demographics, health insurance literacy scores were summarized, and common health insurance policies were tested through a readability checker.

Results: The majority of students were between the ages of 18-25 and undergraduate students. More than half of the participants were female, and more …

Global Trends And Research Directions Of Augmented Reality In Sports: A Bibliometric And Scoping Review, Novri Gazali, Ahmad Rahmadani, Romi Cendra, M. Fransazeli Makorohim, Syed Kamaruzaman Syed Ali, Joseph Lobo, Edi Setiawan

Indonesian Journal of Research in Physical Education, Sport, and Health

Background: Advances in digital technology have accelerated the adoption of augmented reality (AR) in sports, enhancing training quality, performance analysis, and learning experiences. However, comprehensive studies that systematically map global research trends and sport-specific applications remain limited. Objective: This study aims to analyze global trends and applications of augmented reality (AR) in sports using a mixed-method approach combining bibliometric analysis and a scoping review. Methods: Bibliographic data were retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) databases, covering the period 2016–2025. Following a PRISMA-ScR-based selection process, a total of 520 articles were included. Bibliometric analysis was conducted using VOSviewer and …

Menstrual Cycle Hormonal Fluctuations And Non-Contact Acl Rupture Risk In Female Athletes: A Literature Review, Alexa K. Larson

Honors Thesis

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are among the most common and debilitating injuries in athletic populations, with female athletes experiencing significantly higher rates of non-contact ACL rupture compared to males, often while participating in the same sports. Hormonal fluctuations associated with the menstrual cycle have been proposed as a potential intrinsic risk factor influencing injury susceptibility. The purpose of this literature review was to examine current research investigating how menstrual cycle-related hormonal fluctuations may influence the risk of non-contact ACL rupture in female athletes. A comprehensive search of PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and CINAHL databases identified fourteen peer-reviewed studies that met the …

Lat Pulldown Load Velocity Profiling In Upper-Body Dominant Athletes: A Preliminary Report, Darian B. Hastings, Benjamin P. Doyle, John D. Tebbetts, Bryan B. Crutcher, J Bryan Mann

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

The lat pulldown (LPD) is a common strength exercise aimed to improve maximal strength and power of the latissimus dorsi, the primary agonist muscle for vertical pulling patterns common in sports such as swimming and sport climbing. There is limited research supporting the use of load velocity profiling of the LPD exercise for determining maximal vertical pulling power in upper-body dominant athletes and using these profiles to predict sport-specific performance capabilities. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to validate the use of load velocity profiling of the LPD exercise as a predictive measure of vertical pulling power in upper-body …

Aerobic Capacity And Maximal Work Performance In Firefighters: The Role Of Age And Body Composition In Occupational Health Risk, Payton E. Miller, Michael Conner, Grant M. Tinsley, Drew E. Gonzalez, Christine M. Florez, Carina M. Velasquez, Kelly Hines, Jacob A. Mota

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Firefighting requires repeated bouts of high-intensity physical work performed under extreme environmental conditions, placing substantial strain on the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of on-duty firefighter fatalities, with the majority of deaths occurring among firefighters aged 40 years and older. Physiological characteristics such as age and body composition influence aerobic capacity and maximal work performance, both of which are critical and essential while performing strenuous operations. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine how age, sex, and body composition affect aerobic capacity (VO_2peak) and maximal work capacity (W_{max …}

How Self-Talk Affects Performance Among Ncaa Division Iii Female Athletes, Micah Rabey, Briannah Mejias, Giana Hilliard, Cambryn Holloway, Matt Robinson, Kristen Mcalexander

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Self-talk alters mental toughness, emotional control, and behavioral reactions, and can affect an athlete’s cognitive and psychological condition throughout training, competition, and practice. Few studies have examined the role of self-talk specifically among female athletes and no known study has measured its effects among female athletes at the NCAA Division III level. PURPOSE: Examine how NCAA Division III female student athletes describe the role of self-talk in their athletic performance and identify specific ways they perceive self-talk, its functions during training and competition, and its impact on focus, motivation, confidence, and overall performance. METHODS: In the Fall of 2025, modified …

Skeletal Muscle Mass Estimation By Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry And Bioimpedance Techniques In Muscular, Resistance-Trained Adults, John R. Alexander, Christian Rodriguez, Christine M. Florez, Ethan G. Tinoco, Julia Whitson, Carina M. Velasquez, Grant M. Tinsley

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Skeletal muscle mass (SMM) is an important body composition metric in clinical and research settings. However, criterion methods such as magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography are largely inaccessible, so surrogate methods such as dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and bioelectrical impedance are used to estimate SMM. The agreement of these surrogate estimates may be impacted by physiological characteristics of the specific populations being evaluated. PURPOSE: To compare SMM estimates derived from DXA and bioimpedance methods using differing prediction equations within a sample of muscular, resistance-trained adults. METHODS: Forty participants (23 M, 17 F; [mean ± SD] age: 28.1 …

Dehydration Alters Pbmc Inflammatory Propensity That Impair Myoblast Fusion: An Ex-Vivo Approach, Casey Appell, Trinity N. Domonkos, Karina Olvera, Sarah Walper, Christian J. Hoebelheinrich, Larry Munger, Danielle Levitt, Hui-Ying Luk

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Muscle recovery from damage requires satellite cell activation to myoblasts and subsequent myoblast fusion, processes that are influenced, by immune-muscle crosstalk. In this context, the inflammatory propensity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), may alter myoblast fusion. In vitro studies have shown that hyperosmotic stress alters PBMC inflammatory potency. However, the effect of dehydration (elevated plasma osmolality) on PBMC inflammatory propensity, and its impact on myoblast fusion is unknown. PURPOSE: To determine the effect of dehydration following muscle damage on PBMC inflammatory propensity to alter myoblast fusion using an ex-vivo model. METHODS: Active men (n=4, 19±1yr, 173.4±7.6cm, 84.3±11.6kg) …

Delayed Recovery Of Force Production In A Dehydrated State Following Muscle Damage, Amar Vaela, Casey Appell, Trinity N. Domonkos, Karina Olvera, Sarah Walper, Christian Hoebelheinrich, Seth Bernardino, Jalyn Dunlap, Larry Munger, Hui-Ying Luk

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Following eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage, knee extensor strength is substantially reduced but typically recovers toward baseline within 48-72 hours in healthy adults. Previous studies have not determined whether hydration status influences recovery following muscle damage, despite evidence that a 46.4% of university students are dehydrated, and 59% with inadequate water intake. Suggesting a high likelihood of suboptimal hydration at baseline. Although dehydration has been shown to negatively impact force production, its influence on post-exercise damage remains unclear. However, it is unclear whether dehydration alters the recovery of force production following muscle-damaging exercise. PURPOSE: To determine the effect of dehydration …

Late Life Aerobic Exercise Mitigates Age-Related Declines In Physical Function In Male And Female Rats, Dillon R. Harris, Quinten W. Pigg, Daniela S. Inoue, Andreea Trache, Mariana Janini Gomes

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

While lifelong aerobic exercise (AE) is touted to counteract various age-related health detriments, the efficacy of AE initiated late in life remains unknown. PURPOSE: To investigate whether late life AE can reverse age-related physical and muscle decline in rats. METHODS: 52 male (M; n=22) and female (F; n=24) Fischer 344 rats (3- and 21-months) were randomly assigned in sedentary (SED) or exercise (EX) groups, composing 4 experimental groups per sex: Young SED (n=11; 6M, 5F) Young EX (n=12; 6M, 6F), Old SED (n=12; 5M, 7F) and Old EX (n=12; 6M, 6F). Prior to and after training, all animals underwent a …

Delay In Increased Muscle Cross Sectional Area After Muscle Damage While Dehydrated, Sarah Walper, Casey Appell, Trinity Domonkos, Karina Olvera, Seth Bernardino, Jalyn Dunlap, Larry Munger, Hui-Ying Luk

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

When muscles are damaged, the tears in the muscle fibers triggers an immune response and muscles experience inflammation. Inflammation increases WBC in the muscles to repair the micro tears. Muscle inflammation can be assessed by measuring the cross-sectional area (CSA) via ultrasound images. PURPOSE: To examine the effect of hydration status during recovery on muscle swelling after muscle damaging exercise. METHODS: Six recreationally active men (19 ± 1yr, 169.8 ± 8.3cm, 79.5 ± 11.7kg, Lean mass 58.6 ± 13.0kg, %body fat 28.3 ± 6.5%) completed two bouts of an identical muscle damaging exercise (DAM-EX) under a hydrated state and underwent …

Agreement Of Skeletal Muscle Mass Estimates Between Professional And Consumer-Grade Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis, Julia A. Whitson, Carina M. Velasquez, Christine M. Florez, Ainsley E. Way, Madison H. Sullivan, Reva Ann Rudolph, John Alexander, Adhirath Malladi, Grant M. Tinsley

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Skeletal muscle mass (SMM) is a useful variable for evaluating overall fitness and detecting conditions like sarcopenia and cachexia. While several validated laboratory and clinical devices (including magnetic resonance imaging, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and laboratory-grade bioimpedance devices) are adept at SMM assessment, such measures may prove inaccessible or cost-prohibitive to the average person. Consumer-grade bioimpedance analyzers seek to bridge this gap and provide affordable, accurate body composition information. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the validity of skeletal muscle mass (SMM) assessment by a consumer-available hand-to-foot bioimpedance analyzer between females and males, using a professional-grade device as …

Thermography-Derived Skin Temperature Metrics Reflect Physiological And Perceptual Recovery, Tyler Mccollum, Marcos Keefe, Alexandra Brojanac, Isabel J. Richardson, Sophia J. Waller, Yasuki Sekiguchi

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Monitoring recovery following fatiguing exercise requires tools that are sensitive to both physiological and perceptual stress while remaining practical for applied settings. Infrared thermography has emerged as a promising, non-invasive technique, yet its association with established recovery outcomes has not been fully elucidated. PURPOSE: To investigate the association between thermography-measured skin temperature with physiological and perceptual recovery metrics. METHODS: Eight recreationally active individuals (mean ± standard deviation; age: 29 ± 5yrs, height: 174.3 ± 7.7, weight: 72.5 ± 7.1kg) completed a whole-body fatiguing exercise protocol with either pre-exercise sauna, post-exercise sauna, or no sauna bathing in a randomized and counterbalanced …

Effect Of Acute Sleep Fragmentation On Skeletal Muscle Blood Flow During Handgrip Exercise, Gabriel Narvaez, Joaquin Gonzales

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Sleep fragmentation (arousals from sleep) has been shown to impair vascular function due to elevated inflammation and oxidative stress. Previous research on this topic has focused on resting vascular function, with little information available about the effect of poor sleep on hyperemic responses to exercise. PURPOSE: To test the hypothesis that acute sleep fragmentation impairs skeletal muscle blood flow during exercise. METHODS: Fifteen adults (7F, 8M, age- 25 ± 5 y, BMI 23.5 ± 2.5 kg/m2) participated in a randomized crossover study that included one night of habitual sleep and one night of sleep fragmentation separated by at least 7 …

The Effects Of Multiple Circuit Training Sessions In Hot Compared To Thermoneutral Environmental Conditions On Environmental Symptomology, Jenna King, Ryan Dunn, Alexandra Brojanac, Mario Hernandez, Yasuki Sekiguchi

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Heat acclimation (HA) protocols have been under constant development since the 20th century, with the optimal HA approach yet to be determined. Adaptations from traditional approaches likely favor aerobic performance due to the nature of low- to moderate-intensity, endurance-based exercise in the heat. However, individuals involved in team sports, military personnel, and occupational workers may benefit from adaptations induced by a HA protocol that is more sport-/activity-specific. PURPOSE: To investigate differences in environmental symptomatology during a circuit training session in the heat (35°C; 40% relative humidity [RH]) following short-term (5 day) circuit training in hot and thermoneutral environmental conditions. METHODS: …

Do Body Composition And Cardiovascular Fitness Differ By Gender In Firefighters?, Giuliet L. Kibler, Kelly Hines, Michael J. Conner, Lisa C. Colvin, Steven E. Martin, Drew E. Gonzalez

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Firefighters (FF) endure substantial cardiovascular stress during their occupational tasks; yet, males and females differ in cardiovascular fitness (CRF) due to biological factors. The differences in body composition (BC) and CRF among FFs remain unclear. PURPOSE: To compare gender-specific outcomes in body BC and cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) of FF. METHODS: BC assessments via BIA and CPET on a cycle ergometer for 509 FF were analyzed from annual clinical testing. Gender was self-reported as follows: female (n = 29), male (n = 476), or other (n = 4). BC metrics, including body fat, lean body mass, skeletal muscle …

How Do Firefighters Differ Between Years Of Fire Service Experience: Part 1 - Physical Fitness Profiles, Ian Bivins, Michael J. Conner, Jacob A. Mota, Payton Miller, Steven E. Martin, Lisa C. Colvin, Drew Gonzalez

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Firefighters (FF) face a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) due to aging, job-related stress, and irregular physical activity. Years of experience (YXP) in the fire service have been shown to have a unique impact on FF health and performance; however, profiling the differences between those with less or more YXP has not yet been assessed. PURPOSE: To examine years of experience-related differences in conventional physical fitness parameters among FFs. METHODS: Archival data from annual clinical testing of 142 FFs were analyzed. Groups were defined as those with 5 YXP. General linear models (GLM) were used for multivariate …

Evaluating Self-Reported Dietary Habits And Barriers Among Rotc Cadets Across Body Mass Index Classifications, Sarah E. Johnson, Sheyla Leon, Michael Conner, Lisa Colvin, Steven Martin, Stella Volpe, Drew Gonzalez

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Limited data exist on the overall and sports nutrition knowledge among Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets across different body mass index (BMI) categories. PURPOSE: We aimed to study ROTC cadets' dietary habits and barriers across BMI groups. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were obtained from 184 ROTC cadets regarding validated questionnaires, such as the Perceived Barriers to Healthy Eating (PBHE), Food Choice Questionnaire (FCQ), and Rapid Eating Assessment for Participants-Short Version (REAPS). The cadets were stratified into body mass index (BMI) groups: underweight (RESULTS: Chi-square analyses showed BMI-related differences in responses to REAPS' breakfast skipping question (χ²=14.289, p=0.027, V=0.199), …

Impaired Arginine, Citrulline And Glutamine Metabolism In Type 2 Diabetes: Insights From A Stable Isotope Study, Mustafa Tosur, Raven A Wierzchowska-Mcnew, Nicolaas E P Deutz, Mariëlle P K J Engelen

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Context: Arginine (Arg) is an important amino acid in T2D as a potent insulin secretagogue and precursor for nitric oxide (NO). Citrulline (Cit), the substrate for de novo Arg synthesis, is mostly produced from glutamine (Gln).

Objective: We aimed to investigate their metabolism in T2D using novel stable isotope tracer approach.

Methods: We studied 42 individuals (21 with T2D, 21 controls). After overnight fasting, blood samples were collected following pulse administration of stable amino acid tracers. Plasma concentrations and isotopic enrichments were measured by LC-MS/MS, and compartmental analyses were performed to calculate their whole-body production (WBP) rates and kinetics.

Results: …

A268: China Golf Research: A Citespace Knowledge Mapping Analysis Of Current Trends, Shuyan Zhang

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

The year 2024 marks the 40th anniversary of golf’s development in China, presenting a critical juncture for systematically reviewing the sport’s progress. To commemorate this milestone, the China Golf Association (CGA) launched the ‘40 Years of Golf in China’ initiative, which primarily solicits literary and audiovisual works for promotional purposes. However, this campaign notably lacks a comprehensive synthesis of existing academic research on the subject. To address this gap, this study employs CiteSpace-based knowledge mapping to analyze the current state and emerging trends in scholarly research on golf in China. Method: This study utilized CSSCI-indexed journal articles from the CNKI …

A072: Case Study Method In Sport Management: A Systematic Literature Review From 2013–2023, Jiexin Chen, Ji Wu

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Case study, as a scientific research method of social science, has been widely used in sport management. To date, there have been scarce attempts to systematically review how the case study method has been applied in sport management. In this regard, the key objective of this study is to present a general picture of case study research in sport management over the decade. To achieve our objective, a systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted in four leading sport management journals published from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2023. The primary objective of an SLR is to address a focused …

A153: Rehabilitation Research On Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Pfps) In Female Judo Athletes, Lening Wan, Zihan Yuan, Zhen Li, Yongchao Xie, Lei Zhang

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a prevalent knee disorder among athletes, known for its high incidence rate and propensity to progress into chronic conditions. Female athletes are more vulnerable due to inherent hip-knee muscle imbalances and aberrant movement patterns. Unfortunately, dedicated rehabilitation studies focusing on female judo athletes remain scarce. This research aims to alleviate PFPS symptoms by implementing core and functional training regimens and to analyze the significance of hip-knee muscle balance in the recovery process. Sixteen female judo athletes from the Henan Heavy Combat Sports Management Center, diagnosed with PFPS, were randomly into an experimental group (n=8) and …

Under Pressure: Floor-To-Stage Heart Rate Differences In Elite Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Players, Ashley Holland, Dillon Harris, Zachary R. Mcfadden, Steven B. Machek

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Background: The growing Esports industry features high stakes competition and large-scale viewership. Competitors in titles such as Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (SSBU) may experience increased performance anxiety indicators like elevated heart rate especially when placed into spotlighted stage matches, both live streamed and recorded in front of a live audience. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if heart rate elevations differ between competitive play on stage relative to the floor of a double-elimination style tournament bracket. Methods: Four internationally ranked SSBU players (24±1y; 4M) wore chest-based heart rate monitors throughout a double-elimination bracket.A 2-way (Bracket [Winners, Losers] …

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Player Skill Influences Simple And Spatially-Cued Reaction Speeds Without Impacting Impulsivity, Joshua Meyers, Adam Hassane, Dillon Harris, Zachary R. Mcfadden, Steven B. Machek

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Super Smash Bros Ultimate (SSBU) is a prevalent but under-researched Esports title that requires efficient decision making to execute game-specific strategies. Purpose: To identify any potential differences in reaction time and impulsivity across different SSBU player skill levels. Methods: Twenty-four casual (CAS; 25±4y; 23M/1F) and 20 elite (ES 23±4y; all male) SSBU Esports athletes, as well as 21 non-gaming controls (NG; 23±5y; 3M/18F) volunteered for the present cross-sectional investigation, completing both a simple reaction time (SRT) test, Go/No-Go (GNG) assessment, and Posner Cueing Task (PCT) in-person using the PsyToolKit browser-based application. Best and mean SRT, GNG metrics (Go reaction speed …

Dexterity Assessment Scores Vary With Controller Type But Not Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Player Skill, Jacob D. Cervantes, Dillon Harris, Zachary R. Mcfadden, Steven B. Machek

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Within the expanding Esports industry, competitive Super Smash Bros Ultimate (SSBU) players require high neuromotor execution. They consequently select controllers and permit functional modifications to match the individual precision and dexterity preferences within their playstyle. PURPOSE: To examine how skill level and controller preference impact dexterity scores in SSBU players of differing skill relative to each other and non-gamers. METHODS: 56 (22 male casual CAS; 24y ± 4; play >4 hr per week, 15 male ES; 24y ± 4; top 150 globally- ranked competitive SSBU players, and 19 non-gamer controls NG; 24y ± 5; 16F/3M) subjects voluntarily participated …