The GAME IS ELECTRONIC BUT THE EMOTIONS ARE REAL: HOW DOES WINNING AND LOSING EFFECT HRV

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine how winning and losing affect the heart rate variability of soccer players. 10 licensed soccer players participated in the study who are also e-soccer players. 2 inner balance heart math biofeedback device was used to collect data. 7 e-soccer tournaments were organized to collect the data. Data were only collected from matches in which goals were scored and ended with a win or loss. As soon as a winning or losing situation occurred psychometric measurements were started simultaneously from 2 players for 1 minute. After the tournaments were finished with 93 winnings and 93 losses psychometric data was received. Results have shown that players had higher coherence (HRV) while winning, on the contrary, the coherence levels were very low while losing. A significant difference was found in players’ coherence levels between winning and losing situations. In simple words players emotionally felt better when they were winning. This supports the theory that even though the game is electronic the emotions are real looking at the HRVs of the players.