Scientists say that playing video games is like physical exercise for your brain

PEOPLE loved playing Brain Training on their DS, but a new study found that video games in general are good for your brain.

We all know that exercise is good for keeping our bodies healthy, but we rarely think about how to keep our minds in top shape.

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The UK’s National Health Service recommends 150 minutes of exercise a week, not only to keep your body fit, but to help improve your mental health.

A recent study found that while exercise can help with conditions such as anxiety and depression, video games are more effective for memory, attention, thinking and reasoning.

Professor Adrian Owen, a neurologist at the University of Western Canada, conducted a study looking at the relationship between health and lifestyle.

Owen said: “People who played video games frequently, five or more hours a week for one type of game, played as mentally, on average, as people who were 13.7 years younger. [than them].”

A study by Professor Owen and others from the Science Museum Group surveyed 1k adults aged between 18 and 87.

It asked questions about the individual’s living conditions, educational level and employment status.

Owen said: “I was surprised that video games improved the mind, whereas regular exercise did not, partly because we have clearly shown in the past that computer games are ‘exercise’ of the brain’ do not improve cognitive function.

However, the types of games that players regularly play today are very different from consumer mind training games.

Gamers who participated in the study cited games as diverse as Minecraft, Grand Theft Auto, and Mario Kart.

It seemed that anyone who played these popular games often had improved mental performance.

Owen said: “Typically, they are highly involved, strategic and can improve visual attention and processing speed, and problem-solving skills, through repetition and practice.

“Any player also knows that these games are designed to activate the brain system, leading to the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine.

“This may have long-term effects on cognitive function.”

However, it wasn’t just the effect of video games on cognition that interested the researchers, but the lack of effect that exercise had.

Owen said: “As for exercise that doesn’t affect the mind, that was also a surprise, given the World Health Organization’s recommendations that moderate exercise can be good for the mind.

However, we only looked at the long-term effects of regular exercise so it is possible that short-term vigorous exercise affects the mind – as many people report feeling ‘angry’ about after exercise.

Playing for good

The results of this study don’t surprise me at all, and we’ve seen similar results in other studies, such as a recent NewScientist study that showed video games are good for mental health.

When you explain how video games work, it makes sense, they all test hand-eye coordination, and many times test memory and reaction.

Those who do not play video games may participate in idle entertainment activities such as browsing social media or watching TV.

This can lead to an even wider gap between the cognitive abilities of gamers and non-gamers.

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