The science behind the method

Research & publications

The IRL Athlete Method isn't a content strategy — it's a decade of academic work on esports, performance, and the physical side of competitive gaming. Selected publications below.

PhD DISSERTATION · ELTE BUDAPEST

Esports, education, and the relationship between physical activity and esports performance

Doctoral research at ELTE (Eötvös Loránd University) on how physical training relates to in-game performance and how esports fits into education. Thesis summary (PDF, English)

2024 · WITH SZABÓ, A. & KASSAY, L.

Esports performance measurement with physical indicators

Co-authored research measuring esports performance alongside physical markers — the empirical core of the Train pillar.

2021

The impact of Covid-19 on the esports industry

Industry analysis of how the pandemic reshaped competitive gaming, publishing, and events.

2020

Exploring the group characteristics of esports players

Who esports players actually are — demographics, habits, and group traits. ResearchGate

2018 · INFORMÁCIÓS TÁRSADALOM

A flourishing business of our age? Introducing the esports industry

One of the first Hungarian academic overviews of the esports industry. MTA Repository · ResearchGate

Speaking & consulting

Conference keynotes, federation and university advisory, and team performance audits for esports organisations. szabellaoliver@gmail.com · LinkedIn