Videogame training may improve eyesight, no word on the health benefits of Mind Flex
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted March 30th 2009 11:29AM
posted March 30th 2009 11:29AM
You know, the benefits of videogames just keep adding up. According to a study published in Nature Neuroscience, video game training may help people improve contrast sensitivity, or the ability to differentiate between shades of gray. Among the two groups studied, the most improvement was noted among folks who played games which required precise, visually guided aiming actions, such as Call of Duty 2 and Unreal Tournament 2004. "When people play action games," said Daphne Bavelier, a professor of brain and cognitive sciences at the University of Rochester, "they're changing the brain's pathway responsible for visual processing. These games push the human visual system to the limits and the brain adapts to it, and we've seen the positive effect remains even two years after the training was over." Now that we've established that the Xbox can be part of a healthy lifestyle, it would be irresponsible of us not to play it more often.
[Via CNet]
[Via CNet]
yeah .... about THAT picture .....
ermmmmm, no comment .....
I can't figure out what I'm looking at.....is the front guys arm going through the other guy?
I can hear Barry White singing "Let's get it on..."
Tango, baby!
Whisky Tango Foxtrot
@ haX0r
Erm, Marvin Gaye. You're mixing up your soul ballads, son.
Way to go Engadget. Every single one of these comments is about the picture instead of the article. Masters of the art of redirection.
@acidox: Looks like someone is being a bit sensitive!
yea, weird...
Not that there's anything wrong with it.
shhhh...
That dude's arm going through the other dude reminds me of that episode of "The X-Files" when that time warp thing meshed those two teenage lovers THROUGH each other while they were making out in the desert. (You know, the episode where Mulder switches bodies with Michael McKean? Classic.)
@ SPPT
Unbelievable that someone else had the same obscure geek-response as I. Guess we're twins. Hopefully not matter sharing, man loving twins, though.
I want better eyesight to see this why?
\me trys to forget
"These games push the human visual system to the limits " Yeah I can see that by looking at that picture.
that's a "bit" narrow minded.
Not suitable for an office? Wow, your office must be full of real idiots if they find that image unsuitable.
My eyes, my eyes!!
The goggles! They do nothing!
Ya see, it's funny cus you're both wearing goggles.
Rorschach's Journal - March 30, 2009:
Two soldiers in an alley draw my gaze. They appear to be homosexual. I must remember to investigate further. Their unholy union burns my eyes. This every-changing mesh that I wear - my face - it does nothing!
In pain I scream to the heavens, "Save me!" Faintly I hear the reply, "No."
Um, yea, that's just awkward.
What's wrong with Hans und Ernst, the Siamese Nazis? They put the "fun" back in Greuelerzählungen!
gesundheit!
I guess it's true, especially if you spend ten hours staring at a 50" screen playing an mmo. Yeah right!
I recognize that game mode--it's domination.
What has been seen, can never be unseen.
Who knew that Captain Jack Harkness was part of that unit also?
wow...
no comment.
I know for a fact that video games on my old C64 and Amiga were the primary cause of my short sight. In my sister's case it was spending hours reading books. Staring at a screen or other close object will not improve your eyesight - it will only make it worse. I suspect that in moderation the short sight may be avoided but it's definitely a side effect of extended gaming and therefore I would not advertise gaming as a way to improve your eyesight.
In my father's case he developed long sight on account of staring at the horizon whilst serving in the navy so the opposite effect is also possible.
I agree. I used to spend hours playing Sega and now my eyesight is crap!
wow, only took 30 comments by my count until someone actually posted something about the article and not the picture of two dudes hugging. mature response for there not being "anything wrong with that".
You're right, staring at things and straining your eyes can hurt your eyesight. However, I get the impression that the article is pointing towards changing the way the body responds to stimuli and not physically altering the eyeball. Examining the neural activity associated with the brain as it processes an image allows the researchers to examine the effects of playing the games on someone's ability to distinguish between the shades of gray. Now you can play video games to re-train your brain (and the associated nerves) instead of going through surgery to correct a physical defect in your eye.
My dad has been working with computers for the past 25 years. He uses his computer for his programming job every day for at least 8 hours. He even worked at AOL (back when they were big) and used the computer for 10 hours a day there. His eye site has not gotten "worst". And he hasn't developed any joint issues.
You just have to make sure you use proper form at the computer and use an LCD screen. Then you're all set.
@Timothy
Well, in my case the damage was done by an old Hitachi 14" television that was used as the monitor for both the C64 and Amiga. LCD wasn't around in those days but I find it hard to believe that the technology of the screen makes any difference (hence why my sister has the same problem despite not even looking at a screen). The issue is simply spending excessive periods staring at an object that is physically quite close. Playing a console game the other side of a room should improve the situation (I can't have been more than a few feet away from the screen due to its small size) along with larger displays. However, the important point is that you shouldn't play games or stare at a screen for extended periods - try to spend some time focusing on objects that are distant.
I have no idea how your father has emerged with his eyesight in tact but I am amazed by this. Does he take breaks to relax his eyes or have an environment large enough (or a window) that he can look across?
The same matter cannot occupy the same space! Aaaaugh!
RIP Ron Silver.
old news..they already used games to help train soldiers better their coordination skills..
"Now that we've established that the Xbox can be part of a healthy lifestyle, it would be irresponsible of us not to play it more often."
Thanks for showing us your alliance, Enbiasget.
Or was it a pun to Xbox360 owners, who has/had problems with their consoles. I don't know, I don't know...
If a picture's worth a thousand words..........................
LOL
this was an unexpected surprise - good one Engadget, good one.
you got your chocolate in my peanut butter... no you got your peanut butter in my chocolate
Is that a scene from Yossi & Jagger?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0334754/
I would have been your daddy!
is that a grenade in your pocket private or you just happy to see me. wanna see my nipples?
It's so great when soldiers make such sweet love. Don't let your CO catch you though. He will have to do something about it. Unless you have some dirt on him then you might be fine. I would have proof though.