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Gaming for grannies
USQ research shows the benefits of exercise-based gaming for older people .
By Shaney Hudson
A new study has demonstrated the positive impact of gaming on older people with memory complaints .
The study compared conventional exercise to the effects of exercising using an Xbox 360 Kinect sports video game , finding those that gamed for two hours each week showed an improvement not only in physical but also cognitive function .
“ Previous research has shown physical activity and traditional exercise can improve cognitive and brain health in older adults , as well as physical function ,” says Associate Professor Tracy Kolbe-Alexander , from the School of Health and Wellbeing at the University of Southern Queensland .
“ However , very little research has explored the benefits of exercise plans involving simultaneous physical and mental challenges in older adults with memory complaints .”
Forty-five people with memory complaints over the age of 72 living in retirement homes were recruited for the 12-week study . Twenty-three participants attended two one-hour interactive video-games sessions a week , while the other 22 took part in low intensity exercise , with cognitive and physical tests undertaken before and after the twelve week period
The Kinect technology , originally designed by Microsoft , tracks the body with an advanced infrared camera , sensors and microphone to control the action in the game . It does not use handheld controllers .
The study , published in Plos One and led by PhD student Udhir Ramnath at the University of Cape Town , revealed those who played video games recorded increases in executive function and global cognitive function and improvements in their physical performance , compared to the other group .
“ Interactive video gaming is different to traditional exercise as it not only needs physical skill , ability and body movement to control the onscreen character ’ s movement , but also has a cognitive component that requires visual-spatial skills , hand-eye or foot-eye coordination and quick decision making ,” says Kolbe-Alexander , who was a senior author on the study .
“ Our findings indicate that combining these two types of exercises can have a positive effect on an older person ’ s cognitive function and improve important daily functional abilities like mobility , stability , balance and strength .
“ This is important because improvement in mobility and balance , for instance , may help reduce the risk of falling and thus indirectly improve a person ’ s quality of life .”
The study is the third in a series that Kolbe-Alexander was involved in looking at
Interactive video gaming … has a cognitive component that requires visual-spatial skills , hand-eye or footeye coordination and quick decision making .
gaming and older people ; the first set out to quantify enjoyment and difficulty .
“ There were some games that they perceived as difficult , but they still enjoyed it ,” she says , with many participants indicating that they would play for health reasons .
Additionally , during the most recent study she observed benefits beyond what was measured in the study .
“ There ’ s a social benefit . We did have some participants telling us that this is something that they can speak to their grandchild about or do with their grandchild .”
The paper indicated the next step in the research process is to identify the optimal prescription of interactive video gaming for individuals with subjective memory complaints .
“ We hope the results from this study will provide another solution to how we can better support and improve the lives of those living with memory loss and cognitive disorders .” ■
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