Effects of Visual Display Terminal Refresh Rate on Game Performance and Visual Fatigue of Casual Players

Previous studies have shown that high-level gamers benefit from high refresh rates, but prolonged monitor use induces visual fatigue. However, research gaps remain regarding casual players. This study investigates the impact of screen refresh rates (60Hz, 144Hz, 240Hz, 360Hz) on the performance and visual fatigue of 32 casual players. Participants completed three typical FPS game tasks (shooting, tracking, CSGO) under different conditions, with both objective and subjective indicators collected. The results indicate that increased refresh rates improved performance to a certain extent, with 240Hz yielding the best results. For visual fatigue, significant differences were observed in the objective blink rate across conditions, although subjective fatigue scores remained unchanged. In summary, higher refresh rates enhance performance for casual gamers, while lower rates pose higher fatigue risks. Notably, 240Hz balances optimal performance with visual comfort, making it the optimal choice. These findings not only optimize the performance and visual experience for casual gamers, but also provide empirical support for mitigating visual fatigue and health risks associated with prolonged screen use. Based on these results, this study can be further translated into targeted safety management guidelines for diverse usage scenarios (e.g., home entertainment, casual gaming, remote work), aiming to promote a healthy human-device interaction experience.