Technology has shown itself to be an adapting, advancing, and never ending creature in which humans continue to produce. Everyday, we are surrounded by technology, whether it be our phones, computers, Bluetooth devices or my favorite, video games, we overlook how truly incredible technology is.
Growing up video games were a huge part of my life, I’ve always enjoyed the idea of leveling up and advancing onto new, harder exciting, levels to stimulate my hunger to win and complete the game. However, many are against video games including my parents. For years they have limited my time playing video games, which overall was a smart thing to do because staring at a screen for hours and hours is not quite good for you. Yet, video games might actually be helping kids in certain areas, physically and mentally.
In a Forbes article by Jordan Shapiro, information is given stating that people who play first person shooter games have a, ” faster and more accurate attention allocation, higher spatial resolution in visual processing, and enhanced mental rotation abilities.” Also the article lists evidence that “playing games enhances problem-solving skills and improves creativity”. This is great and all but there is still one problem. Sitting down. I would say most video game players are not standing while they are playing nor constantly moving around. Players sit for hours on top of hours, which in return can cause a health problem.
In the YouTube video, Gaming for Health, Professor Yang goes on to explain that kids or adults that spend too much time sitting and playing video games can develop obesity. There is no physical active component in sitting down for hours playing video games. Yang says kids are sitting and consuming social media on average, 6 to 8 hours a day. Instead of completely shaming video games, Yang takes an optimistic viewpoint and says that video games can be fun and also have an active physical component in them.
Exercise and video games can be combined into one Yang stresses. Create a game with a goal oriented focus, add lights and music, and incorporate some sort of mobility/movement enhancing activity, and you have yourself a physically active video game. Systems such as the Wii have also made advancements in this direction. Incorporating movement and exercise into video games that are enjoyable and fun.
My love for video games and passion to be as healthy as possible gives me hope for the future of videos games that promote and require physical activity.
Oz Health 