Can Pre-Performance Routines Optimise Performance in Esports?

Intro

The higher up the ladder in sports and esports, the smaller the skill and performance gap between each athlete becomes. In traditional sport, the difference between being a champion and a runner up can be a fraction of an inch or second; in esports the difference may be a single decision.To reach the highest potential, many niche things and lifestyle habits are tweaked to optimise performance. Optimising performance in sports and esports can take place in a variety of forms, from training methods and sleep schedules, to nutrition and diets. Optimising performance for each individual is different due to environmental and genetic differences. One example of individual differences in performance optimisation can be seen in the pre-performance routines a competitor engages in. 

What are pre-performance routines?

Moran (1996) defines pre-performance routines as a sequence of thoughts and behaviours relevant to the task which athletes go through before performing. There is a slight difference between pre-performance routines and pre-game rituals. Pre-game rituals act as a psychological placebo which allows an athlete to have a stronger feeling of self control. Interestingly, in terms of rituals, there is no scientific link between the behaviour or action and the outcome of the performance. Alternatively, pre-performance routines are scientifically-supported systematic behaviours that can help increase arousal and focus. Examples of pre-performance routines include, but aren’t limited to, listening to specific music, an athlete dressing up in a specific order, eating specific foods, or pro-players having a specific order of setting up their gaming setup.

Source: LOL Esports Images (Flickr), Photo taken by Yicun Liu

Do pre-performance routines work?

Studies have shown that the use of pre-performance routines can reduce physical symptoms of anxiety. Many professional athletes have developed their own unique set of pre-performance routines to maximise their performance. Before an important game, a lot of negative thoughts and anxious overthinking can be a distraction to one’s inner peace. Through my experience, the motion of going through a set routine has helped remind me of previous competitive experiences, allowing me to establish a calm, yet alert mindset. Ultimately, preparing me for optimal performance. Pre-performance routines aren’t limited to just before the whole competition, but also before performing a skill. For example, Dan Biggar has a pre-performance routine he engages in before his conversion kick attempt. Currently, there is a lot of research into pre-performance routines in traditional sports; such as, Jackson’s (2003) research into pre-performance routines in rugby conversion kicking. Unfortunately, there currently isn’t a lot of research into how pre-performance routines work in esports. Whilst there isn’t a lot of research, PsychologyToday has published an article featuring the potential pros and cons of pre-performance routines in esports.

Conclusion

With COVID-19 affecting a lot of traditional sports and esports worldwide, a difference can be seen in how a player prepares to compete. Typically, during the trip to the venue, a player will have time to go through their pre-performance routine; such as visualising what they want to do. Similar to traditional sports, a player uses their set up time to get in the zone.

Overall, pre-performance routines come in many different forms and are unique to each individual. Some players will want to eat specific foods, listen to a specific song, or even want to measure the distance between themselves and the monitor as part of their pre-performance routine. Hopefully, more research in the use of pre-performance routines in esports will be conducted to further guide our understanding of these routines on performance.

Article written by Orion Chan