Who says you can’t get smarter and fitter while standing in front of a screen?
A new study reveals that certain types of video games, known as exergames, don’t just get your heart rate up, they also give your brain a serious workout.
Trains both body and brain
Exergaming isn’t just fun movement in front of a console, it’s serious training that combines physical activity with mental challenges.
Think dance games, virtual sports, or fitness apps that get you moving while you think.
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Early training may protect against dementia
Research shows that people with mild cognitive impairment, often a precursor to dementia, can slow down progression and even improve brain function if they start exergaming early.
Gray matter increases from the training
One of the most striking findings was that participants in the exergame program showed increased volume in the hippocampus, a brain region that typically shrinks in Alzheimer’s disease.
Better memory after just 12 weeks
After only three months of exergaming, participants demonstrated improved word recall and memory performance.
Both immediate and delayed verbal memory were enhanced.
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White matter also showed improvements
In addition to gray matter, researchers noticed benefits to white matter in the brain, particularly in the anterior cingulate cortex, which is involved in decision-making and attention.
The training must be regular and targeted
Participants in the study trained at least five times a week for 24 minutes per session.
The results suggest that consistent effort is key, just like with any other type of fitness program.
Brain changes were visible via MRI
Before and after the intervention, participants underwent MRI scans.
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Researchers clearly saw differences in brain structure in those who had participated in the exergame training.
Significantly better cognitive performance
Roughly 50 % of those in the intervention group experienced cognitive improvements in testing, while the control group generally declined in performance.
Exergaming works best with some guidance
Although many sessions were unsupervised, participants’ progress was monitored with technology.
However, researchers suggest that future programs should include more direct guidance for maximum benefit.
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Not all exergames are equally effective
Despite the promising results, the researchers caution that the small sample size and variety of participant backgrounds make it hard to say whether all types of mild cognitive impairment would respond the same way to every kind of exergame.
This article is based on information from Medical News Today.
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