Video Games Benefit
Both Brain and Body
Players become better at solving problems,
thinking creatively, studies show
In the first study, researchers
The researchers think this
from York University gave
is because players are skilled
tricky mental tests to university
at blocking out distractions to
eople who play video
students,
concentrate on what they’re
games have greater
regularly play video games.
Galadriel Watson
Thinkfast News Agency
P
mental and physical
whom
who
video-game players were better
players later in life. As people
don’t. That’s what two studies
and faster performers,” said
grow older, distractions become
recently found out.
researcher Ellen Bialystok.
harder to ignore—which is one
those
who
doing.
This ability may help the
than
people
of
were
abilities
“The
some
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© 2008 Scholastic Canada Ltd. V001
reason why elderly people often
forget things. Perhaps players’
brains will stay in top shape as
they age.
In
the
Dr. James Rosser, researcher
second
study,
researchers from the Beth
Israel Medical Center and
Iowa State University looked
at surgeons. These doctors do
a type of surgery in which they
use a tiny camera to see inside
the body. They then perform
the surgery with remotecontrol tools.
“I use the same hand-eye
co-ordination to play video
games as I use for surgery.”
In the study, the researchers
tested surgeons on these skills.
The surgeons who played video
games often—at least three
hours a week—performed the
tasks faster than those who
played less or never played
at all. They also made fewer
mistakes.
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“I use the same hand-eye coordination to play video games
as I use for surgery,” explained
researcherDr.JamesRosser.Videogame players also develop faster
reflexes and are more accurate.
Nine-year-old Ashley Kittinger
agrees video games are good. “I
started playing Nintendo® when
I was seven,” she said. “I used to
have a hard time sitting still at
school, but now when the teacher
gives me work, I pay attention
and get it done right away.”
Since video games were
with vision problems. Even
against each other—laughing
introduced in the 1970s, many
children’s fitness levels can
away—or working together
studies
their
benefit from playing video
to help the hero get his goal. I
benefits. For example, players
games, as long as the games
always thought playing video
become
involve movement, like dancing
games would be lonely for
or virtually catching a ball.
Ashley, but it turns out it’s just
have
proven
better
at
solving
problems, thinking creatively,
and being logical.
Players’ eyes have to keep
Ashley’s father Paul sees
another benefit.
track of quickly changing
“Ashley usually has friends
objects, which means playing
over when she plays,” he said.
video games may help people
“They’re
either
competing
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the opposite.”
Video Games Linked to Poor
Behaviour and Health
Children who play video games too much
don’t do as well in school, studies reveal
Galadriel Watson
Thinkfast News Agency
Tohoku
math exercises. Another group
play
University in Japan recently
played video games. Special
video games may be
discovered that playing video
equipment mapped what was
less healthy and have
games may lead to poor
going on in the children’s
behaviour.
brains.
C
hildren
more
behaviour
Researchers
who
problems
than those who play rarely or
not at all.
at
The researchers had one
The study discovered that the
group of children do simple
children who did math used
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the frontal lobe of their brain.
better control over his or her
This lobe is important for
behaviour.
Video games may also cause
injury. Dr. Diana Macgregor,
learning, memory, emotion,
This doesn’t mean children
from Scotland’s Royal Aberdeen
and self-control. The children
have to do math all the time,
Children’s Hospital, recently
who played video games used
but it does mean that children
discovered a new medical
only the parts of the brain that
who spend too much time
concern.
control vision and movement.
playing video games may have
Nicknamed “Nintendonitis,”
of
less-developed frontal lobes—
this type of injury is caused by
be
and less self-control.
performing the same actions
“The
this
importance
discovery
cannot
underestimated,”said researcher
Ryuta Kawashima.
That’s because the more the
frontal lobe is used, the more
“My wrists got so sore,
I had to see a doctor,”
Scott Collins, age nine
it develops, giving a child
again and again, as video-game
players often do.
Scott Collins, age nine,
knows first-hand how too
much playing can be painful.
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“My wrists got so sore, I had to
see a doctor,” Scott said. Players
take frequent breaks and do
with other children than non-
forearm and hand stretches.
players, have fewer friends, and
may also suffer from backaches,
After television, video games
headaches, and aching eyes,
are the most popular form of
Scott’s parents have seen
and may develop poor posture.
home entertainment, despite
these effects. “Sometimes Scott
Lack of exercise and frequent
these and other negative effects.
just won’t stop, even to go to
snacking while playing—often
For example, studies have
bed,” said his mother Justine.
on junk foods—may result
shown that children who play
“He rushes home from school
in weight problems and other
video games too much don’t
and puts off his homework.
health issues.
do as well in school. They
He even said no to going to
children
may not have time to do other
a friend’s birthday party last
to have fun, but to use games
activities that might interest
week because he wanted to stay
wisely,” said Dr. Macgregor. To
them, like skating or drawing.
home to play his game.”
prevent injury, players should
As well, they may interact less
“We’re
warning
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feel shyer.