Under Pressure: Floor-to-stage Heart Rate Differences in Elite Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Players

Authors

Ashley Holland, California State University, Monterey BayFollow
Dillon Harris, Texas A&M UniversityFollow
Zachary R. McFadden, Arizona State University, TempeFollow
Steven B. Machek, California State University, Monterey BayFollow

Abstract

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] x Location [Floor, Stage]) ANOVA w/ repeated measures tested differences between heart rate assessments at a significance level of p<.05. Results: Significant main bracket (p=.003; η_p2=.095) and location effect (p=.005; η_p2=.084) were found. In the winners bracket, players had significantly higher heart rates than those in the losers bracket (p=.003; 130±19 versus 117±24 bpm, respectively), and floor players had significantly higher values than stage (p=.005; 129±20 versus 119±24bpm, respectively). Furthermore, a significant bracket x location interaction effect (pp2= .897) showed winners bracket games on stage had higher HR versus the floor (136±9 versus 105±16bpm, respectively), while floor-based losers bracket matches HR exceeded the stage (137±17 versus 95±14bpm;Conclusions:Although differences exist between competitive settings, these discrepancies may be more complex than simple “spotlight pressure”. Therefore, future investigations should both utilize larger sample sizes of varying player skill levels and examine the influence of qualitative experience.

Recommended Citation

Holland, Ashley; Harris, Dillon; McFadden, Zachary R.; and Machek, Steven B. (2025) "Under Pressure: Floor-to-stage Heart Rate Differences in Elite Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Players," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 14: Iss. 5, Article 78.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol14/iss5/78