{
  "abstract": "Background: Esports (competitive and organised video gaming) may enhance physical and cognitive health in older adults. The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility and effects of a multicomponent program incorporating esports on physical and cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: This parallel, non-randomised controlled trial was conducted in Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan. Twenty-six participants who 1) were aged 60 years or older, 2) had no cognitive impairment, 3) had no major health problems, and 4) had no prior experience with digital games were allocated to either the intervention (n = 12) or the control (n = 14) group. Participants in the intervention group attended weekly 90-minute sessions consisting of health education, exercise, and esports for 12 weeks. The feasibility of the program was assessed based on adverse events, participant retention, adherence to the program, engagement in digital games outside the program, enjoyment of the program, and willingness to continue playing esports after the study period. Additionally, psychological status, physical and cognitive function, and body composition were assessed. Results: No adverse events were reported; 10 of the 12 participants attended ≥80% of the sessions, all participants reported enjoying the program, and no participants dropped out during follow-up. Positive psychological status scores increased from before to after each session among participants in the intervention group. Furthermore, adjusted analyses showed more favourable changes in gait speed and balance in the intervention group than in the control group (p < 0.05). However, the effects on physical function remain uncertain because the analyses were exploratory. Conclusions: The program showed potential for high retention and adherence among older adults, with no adverse events. Larger-scale trials are needed to confirm the effectiveness of this intervention program, as the analyses in this study were exploratory. Trial registration: The study protocol was registered with the UMIN-CTR (ID: UMIN000055350; date of first registration: 27 August 2024).",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "School of Health Innovation, Kanagawa University of Human Services, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan",
    "Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan",
    "School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia",
    "Center for Innovation Policy, Kanagawa University of Human Services, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan",
    "School of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health and Social Work, Kanagawa University of Human Services, Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan",
    "Center for Research Strategy, Waseda University, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan",
    "Cancer Prevention and Control Division, Kanagawa Cancer Center Research Institute, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan"
  ],
  "article_type": "Research Article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 11,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Yuta Nemoto"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Fumie Otsuka"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Shihoko Suzuki"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Saori Kataoka"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        4
      ],
      "name": "Tomoko Nakanishi"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        5
      ],
      "name": "Takuya Ueda"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        6
      ],
      "name": "Susumu Ogawa"
    },
    {
      "name": "Sumika Karasawa"
    },
    {
      "name": "Mikiko Shimaoka"
    },
    {
      "name": "Hiroto Narimatsu"
    },
    {
      "name": "Ung-il Chung"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/86ssxtreat4jn.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1371/journal.pone.0357666",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "86ssxtreat4jn",
  "issns": [
    "1932-6203"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0357666",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2737|Physical Activity and Health"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Physiology/Physiological parameters/Body weight"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Psychology/Behavior/Recreation/Games"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Psychology/Behavior/Recreation/Games/Video games"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Sports science/Sports and exercise medicine/Exercise"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Computer and information sciences/Software engineering/Computer software"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Engineering and technology/Software engineering/Computer software"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Health care/Health education and awareness"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Public and occupational health/Physical activity/Physical fitness/Exercise"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Sports and exercise medicine/Exercise"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/People and places/Population groupings/Age groups/Adults/Elderly"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Research and analysis methods/Research design/Clinical research design/Adverse events"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Social sciences/Psychology/Behavior/Recreation/Games"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Social sciences/Psychology/Behavior/Recreation/Games/Video games"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7207564486",
  "pdf_url": null,
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-09-03",
  "publisher": "Public Library of Science",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/86ssxtreat4jn.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:56Z",
      "native_id": "10.1371/journal.pone.0357666",
      "source": "plos",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0357666"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "plos:public and occupational health",
      "subfield": "epidemiology-public-health"
    },
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "plos:physiology",
      "subfield": "physiology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Feasibility and effects of a multicomponent program incorporating esports on physical and cognitive function among older adults: A non-randomised pilot trial",
  "title_text": "Feasibility and effects of a multicomponent program incorporating esports on physical and cognitive function among older adults: A non-randomised pilot trial",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:17:56Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/86ssxtreat4jn",
  "venue": "PLOS One",
  "versions": []
}