| While the gaming industry has often weathered | | | | faster after completing action games but those who |
| criticism that their games are responsible for | | | | played the puzzle games were more accurate. |
| everything from the rise of obesity in America to an | | | | While the idea that gaming has positive health benefits |
| increase in violence and crime there are new studies | | | | might see dubious research by Daphne Bavelier, a |
| to suggest that online games might be more beneficial | | | | researcher from the University of Rochester has also |
| than previously thought. | | | | shown this. In a study that she co-authored it was |
| A recent study published in the December 2009 edition | | | | shown that video game players exhibit better hand |
| of the journal Perception shows not only can game | | | | eye coordination, heightened visual processing, as well |
| play improve various thinking skills but that it can also | | | | as improved visual spatial memory. |
| boost cognitive speed for those who play action | | | | Of course there are other games that may also boast |
| games and can also improve cognitive accuracy for | | | | some of the same results as the video puzzle games |
| players who solve puzzle and strategy games. | | | | including popular games like Sudoku and Boggle as well |
| Rolf Nelson, a psychology professor at Wheaton | | | | as card games like poker and blackjack. Activities that |
| College conducted the study which included 20 | | | | might have similar effects to the action games are |
| different students began by solving a spatial relation | | | | most sports which not only improve response times |
| problem, the students were then given either a puzzle | | | | but also promote strength and fitness. |
| based or action game to play for one hour. | | | | So, while video games might sharpen your mind it's |
| Afterwards there were then given a chance to | | | | probably wisest to ensure that you also get some |
| complete the first task again. The players were a lot | | | | much needed physical activity as well. |