As an avid gamer since the age of around 4, I like most people my age now can tell you that things have evolved quite dramatically when it comes to video games over the past 20 years. Growing up, this love of games had a measurable effect on my homework, the same could probably be said for the majority of people out there with a PlayStation or Nintendo 64 – queue 90s nostalgia and Reebok Pumps.

I’m sure we’ve all heard stories of ‘Researchers’ around the world who have gone out on a limb and preached that video games are indeed good for your health, in the context of moderation they’re probably right, but most likely they are simply lazy at their job and would much rather be sitting at home playing the latest incarnation of Grand Theft Auto, Farcry or Starcraft, much to the dismay of their research programs.

Slow Reactions?

Have you ever seen the machine that some professional athletes use that is shaping like a hexagon and has lights on it? This is a reaction tester; basically it’s a big version of that Simon Says electronic board game with the four colours. The purpose of the reaction tester is to heighten the athlete’s alertness and reaction speeds, improving the link between mind and body and overall, increasing their coordination.

You’ll be happy to know, certain types of video games increase your coordination in a similar way. Sporting and racing games such as FIFA, NBA, F1 2012 and Gran Turismo 5 require on-the-fly analysis of on-screen events by the user, just like when playing a physical sport or driving a car it heightens your sense of surrounding and creates a zone where you observe and react based on what’s happening on the field or on track.

Although your coordination increases as a result, I’d still go out and get some sun – no one likes a moon tan.

Visual Aiding and Interpretation

They say your pupils dilate and your focus narrows when faced with harrowing or dangerous circumstances, such as working out high-end multiplication (that’s no joke, try it). Additionally when one’s awareness is heightened by ever present danger such as physical harm or conflict, our senses sharpen and the amount of data our brains process through hearing and sight is increased. Soldiers have often reported that they experience extra-sensory effects when in the midst of a fire fight or combat, this is commonly seen as a by-product of the release of natural adrenaline by the body to increase the chances of survival.

That’s also why I believe Black Ops 2 is beneficial for my health. Hoo’ah.

Problem Solving

Who remembers the classic 1990s CIA based game Spycraft? This is a vintage example of how a video game can not only entertain you, but also stimulate your brain. The objective of the game was to carry out field, tactical and lab missions for the CIA in covert scenarios, often using technology and analysis to reach conclusions and outcomes. The sheer complexity of the game ensured that the player would feel immersed in the role they assumed whilst playing Spycraft, almost to the extent where you felt like you were actually learning and benefitting from the game without ever feeling like it was another form of procrastination.

The techniques required to play the game and the style in which the game was scripted and developed, even by mid-90s standards, ensured that brain had as much of a workout as your index finger did.

All whilst protecting the freedom of the American people.

Retardation of diseases

A few years ago, tests carried out on sufferers of Parkinson’s disease found that when patients spent at least 30 minutes day playing the Wii Fit game, the degradation of the body caused by the disease was measurably slowed. This report however did not surprise some people of whom I’ve previously met over the years.

My best friend’s grandmother was suffering from a unique hand ailment which restricted movement and caused stiffness, she purchased an original Nintendo Entertainment System (NES, to those who remember) upon recommendation from her doctor at the time.

The condition improved and her ailments disappeared. My friend and I played duck hunt for hours on end and subsequently agreed that her doctor was a miracle worker.

Until next time, keep those controllers charged up and games saved.