Exergaming Isn’t Just to make you Look Silly

Motion controllers almost exclusively led to the crazy that is exergaming; there were bits and pieces before the Wii came out, but its only in the last five years that it's really taken off. Some core gamers see it as something of a fad (as some of them see absolutely everything outside of their circle of interest) but scientists have found that the added mental test of exergaming over straight exercise can help stay off the effects of dementia.

Dr Marie Janson, of Alzheimers Research UK, explains their findings: “We already know that exercise is an important way to keep body and mind healthy. The results from this small study suggest that combining physical and mental exercise through exergaming (playing active videogames) could have even more beneficial effects on cognition in older adults than normal exercise alone. Larger and more detailed studies will be needed to get to the bottom of exactly what aspect of exergaming could be giving the benefit but the early results are very interesting. Although it may be unrealistic to expect people to invest in exergaming technology, the findings show that both mental and physical exercise areimportant in keeping our minds active in old age. With 820,000 people in the UK already living with dementia, and an increasingly ageing population, it is important that we invest in research into preventative strategies that could help to maintain our cognition for that little bit longer.”

Dr Anderson-Hanley of Union College, New York adds: “Navigating a 3D landscape, anticipating turns and competing with others require additional focus, expanded divided attention and enhanced decision-making. The implication of our study is that older adults who choose exergaming with interactive physical and cognitive exercise over traditional exercise may garner added cognitive benefit, and perhaps prevent decline, all for the same exercise effort.” 

So, basically, you're likely to be playing video games in your old age – and it'll be good for you.