Biology subjects

Funabashi, D.

Publications and source records attributed to Funabashi, D..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Acute Milk-Protein Intake Enhances Pupil-Linked Executive Function and Esports Performance During Prolonged Play

Prolonged esports play induces cognitive fatigue that is not fully captured by subjective awareness, motivating practical, non-stimulant nutritional strategies supported by objective physiological markers. We here tested whether acute milk protein intake attenuates fatigue-related physiological responses during prolonged esports play and supports subjective state, executive control, and in-game performance. In a randomized, single-blind (assessor-blind), energy-matched controlled crossover study, 15 healthy young adults with esports experience completed two sessions in which they consumed either a milk protein drink or an energy-matched apple juice control before a 3-h virtual soccer task. Physiological measures included pupillometry during gameplay, salivary cortisol, continuous interstitial glucose monitoring, and heart rate. Subjective ratings (VAS) and executive function (flanker task) were assessed across post-ingestion time points, and in-game performance metrics were aggregated within hourly gameplay blocks. Milk protein intake was associated with a coherent pattern of physiological advantages, including larger pupil diameter during gameplay, smoother interstitial glucose dynamics, and lower salivary cortisol, while heart rate showed time-dependent changes without a clear condition effect. These physiological changes co-occurred with higher enjoyment and lower hunger, improved flanker performance, and condition-dependent improvements in in-game performance, most notably higher shot success rate. Additionally, pupil diameter during gameplay was associated with inhibitory-control efficiency on the flanker task. These findings suggest that acute milk protein intake may serve as a practical, non-stimulant nutritional strategy to sustain physiological state and cognitive-behavioral performance during prolonged esports (virtual soccer) play. Highlights- Prolonged esports play models modern digital cognitive activity and cognitive fatigue. - Acute milk protein intake increases pupil diameter during prolonged esports play. - Interstitial glucose dynamics are smoother and salivary cortisol is lower with milk protein. - Enjoyment increases and hunger decreases during 3 h of virtual soccer play. - Executive function and in-game performance improve, most notably shot success rate.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2026

A Glycaemia-Prolonging Carbohydrate Gel Reduces Hunger and Cognitive Fatigue During Prolonged Esports Play

AbstractProlonged esports play can induce cognitive fatigue by placing sustained demands on executive control, decision-making, and stress regulation. Since the brain relies primarily on glucose as an immediate energy source, we hypothesized that a carbohydrate gel designed to prolong post-ingestion glycaemia stabilizes interstitial glucose, attenuates hunger and cognitive fatigue, and helps preserve performance during extended esports play. Eleven healthy young men completed a randomized, double-blind crossover study with two sessions in which they ingested one of two carbohydrate gels matched for total energy and total carbohydrate but differing in carbohydrate composition (high-fructose corn syrup [HFCS]-dominant vs maltodextrin [MDX]-dominant) before gameplay. Interstitial glucose was monitored continuously, while hunger, salivary cortisol, pupil diameter, executive function, and in-game performance were assessed repeatedly. Compared with the control (HFCS-dominant) condition, the glycaemia-prolonging formulation maintained higher interstitial glucose levels during the later phase of gameplay, blunted the progressive increase in hunger, and attenuated cortisol responses. These physiological and subjective advantages were accompanied by better executive control and more adaptive defensive behaviors in-game, including fewer fouls and more interceptions. In contrast, pupil diameter, an index of global arousal, remained unchanged across conditions, suggesting that benefits were not driven by altered arousal but by improved glycaemic stability and appetite regulation. These findings indicate that a carbohydrate formulation that prolongs glycaemia can reduce hunger-linked cognitive fatigue and support task-relevant behavior during prolonged esports play. This low-burden nutritional strategy may help sustain mental performance during prolonged digital activities that impose high cognitive demands. Highlights- A glycaemia-prolonging gel maintained higher interstitial glucose late in esports play - Hunger and salivary cortisol increased less with the glycaemia-prolonging formulation - Executive control and defensive performance improved (fewer fouls, more interceptions) - Pupil diameter was unchanged, suggesting benefits were not driven by altered arousal - A low-burden, glycaemia-stabilizing strategy may help sustain cognitive stamina

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2025

Live sports spectating promotes oxytocin dynamics and heart rate synchrony in casual fans

Oxytocin has been proposed as a pharmacological target for social dysfunction. However, clinical trials of exogenous oxytocin have yielded modest and inconsistent benefits, highlighting the need for naturalistic, non-pharmacological approaches that recruit endogenous oxytocin. This prospective observational field study examined whether live sports spectating in a modest collegiate setting engages endogenous oxytocin and heart rate synchrony, and how these processes relate to social bonding. Sixty casual spectators at two university basketball games provided salivary samples for oxytocin and cortisol and completed psychological questionnaires before the game, at halftime, and after the game, while heart rate was continuously recorded. Oxytocin dynamics were baseline dependent: individuals with low pre-game oxytocin showed clear increases during spectating, whereas those with high pre-game oxytocin maintained elevated concentrations; across both groups, cortisol decreased and the oxytocin-to-cortisol ratio increased, indicating a shift toward an oxytocin-dominant, low-stress hormonal profile. Live spectating also enhanced heart rate synchrony between spectators, and higher oxytocin levels and stronger synchrony were associated with greater enjoyment, stronger unity with players and fellow fans, higher flow, and stronger intention to revisit. Mediation analyses indicated that perceived unity mediated links between physiological responses and experiential outcomes. These findings identify coordinated oxytocin dynamics and physiological synchrony as candidate mechanisms through which live sports spectating can foster social connection and positive psychological states in everyday, low-stakes settings. Live sports events may represent a simple, scalable non-pharmacological approach to engaging oxytocin-related systems and interpersonal synchrony to promote social connection in everyday life.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2023

A single bout of vigorous exercise decreases subsequent non-exercise physical activity and body temperature

PurposeExercise benefits the body and mind, but its weight loss effect is less than generally expected. Although this phenomenon is likely primarily due to a decrease in non-exercise physical activity (NEPA) resulting in a decrease in non-exercise activity thermogenesis, the underlying mechanisms and effects of exercise intensity remain unknown. Here we show that acute vigorous exercise decreases subsequent NEPA and body temperature (BT) in association with body weight gain. MethodsAdult male C57BL/6J mice were categorized into three groups: sedentary, moderate exercise, and vigorous exercise, with exercise groups undergoing a 30 min treadmill session. Using an intraperitoneally implanted activity monitor, NEPA and BT were monitored for two days before and three days after exercise. The daily synchrony between NEPA and BT was evaluated using a cross-correlation function. Plasma corticosterone was also detected 6 and 24 h after exercise. ResultsNotably, Only the vigorous exercise group exhibited a decline in both NEPA and BT, resulting in body weight gain the following day, despite no observed changes in food intake. Furthermore, vigorous exercise induces a distinct delay in the daily dynamics of NEPA compared to BT. A positive correlation was observed between plasma corticosterone levels and changes in NEPA levels before and after exercise across all exercise groups. ConclusionsOur findings provide evidence for vigorous exercise-specific reduction in subsequent NEPA, BT, and their synchrony linked to weight gain, likely due to the disturbed circadian rhythm of corticosterone. This ultimately redefines the significance of exercise intensity in beneficial effects beyond the energy expenditure of the exercise itself.

animal behavior and cognition↗

bioRxiv2023

Lactate Dynamics in Skin Interstitial Fluid Predicts Lactate Threshold in Exercising Rats

Regular exercise promotes various anti-ageing adaptations in skin tissue. Although the underlying mechanisms of that might associate to the acute exercise-induced lactate signaling in the skin, it remains uncertain the profile of skin interstitial fluid (ISF) lactate dynamics during and following acute exercise. Here, we investigated whether the skin ISF lactate level increases in association with blood lactate during acute incremental exercise using a single microneedle perfusion system. The rats were acclimated to treadmill running exercise and underwent external jugular vein cannulation. Following comprehensive recovery, a 1 mm single microneedle was implanted into the back skin. Skin ISF lactate progressively increased in tandem with blood lactate during the incremental exercise but did not decrease to baseline levels until 30 minutes following the exercise unlike blood. Moreover, lactate threshold (LT), is a crucial marker of athletic aerobic performance during acute exercise, extrapolated from skin ISF showed significant alignment with blood LT. Our findings reveal that the skin ISF lactate increases associated with blood lactate and the long-lasting elevation state following acute exercise. Moreover, lactate dynamics in skin ISF can predict LT. These findings would be a milestone for elucidating regular exercise-induced physiological adaptations in the skin and evaluating athletic performance. Graphical Abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=90 SRC="FIGDIR/small/563585v3_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (32K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@14520a7org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@162f538org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1d13979org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1145abe_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG Lactate levels in rat skin interstitial fluid (ISF) increased in association with blood lactate during acute incremental exercise, but the increase in skin ISF lactate lasted 30 min following acute exercise. Lactate threshold (LT), a crucial marker of aerobic athletic performance, can be predicted from skin fluid dynamics during acute exercise. These findings would be a milestone for elucidating regular exercise-induced physiological adaptations in the skin and evaluating athletic performance.

physiology↗