Does gaming yield cognitive abilities?4 answersGaming, particularly action video games, has been shown to enhance cognitive abilities such as speed of processing, perception, attention, working memory, and visuospatial abilities. Studies have indicated that action video games can improve cognitive functions like mental flexibility, planning, visual working memory, fluid intelligence, and attention control, while board games may not have the same impact on cognitive performance. Additionally, research suggests that playing modern RPGs can enhance visuospatial abilities, similar to the cognitive benefits observed in action video game players. These findings highlight the potential of gaming, especially action video games and modern RPGs, in positively influencing cognitive skills, emphasizing the importance of further research in this area for creating effective learning environments and enhancing cognitive abilities through game-based learning.
Why is cognitive function important in sport?4 answersCognitive function plays a pivotal role in sports performance, influencing athletes' abilities to make rapid decisions, memorize complex movements, and adapt to dynamic environments. The dual-task paradigm, which assesses cognitive function alongside motor demands, highlights the importance of cognition in sports, where athletes often need to balance physical tasks with mental strategies under pressure. Cognitive function is not only crucial for daily functioning but is also associated with longevity, underscoring its significance beyond the sports arena.
Research indicates that sport activity, particularly open skill sports that require athletes to respond to unpredictable environments, can enhance cognitive and executive functions. This suggests a positive correlation between athletic engagement and cognitive performance, with implications for both mental and physical health. The process of skill acquisition in sports, which involves learning and mastering new techniques, is linked to improvements in cognitive functions such as information processing, decision making, and experiencing the consequences of actions. This skill acquisition is essential for long-term cognitive benefits, highlighting the interplay between physical activity and mental agility.
Studies on adolescent soccer players have found relationships between cognitive functioning, physical fitness, and game performance, indicating that cognitive abilities are integral to sports performance. Different types of physical activities, including both open-skilled and closed-skilled sports, have been shown to affect various cognitive functions, suggesting that the nature of the sport may influence specific cognitive benefits. Ultra-marathon runners, for example, demonstrate that cognitive factors such as inhibitory control and the ability to suppress irrelevant information are key to superior sports performance.
Furthermore, cognitive functions like inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, and metacognition have been identified as distinguishing factors between elite and sub-elite youth soccer players, emphasizing the role of cognitive skills in achieving high levels of performance. Cognitive training, even with minimal motor components, can enhance reactive motor skills in athletes, further supporting the importance of cognitive function in sports. Lastly, a study comparing cognitive abilities between elite and amateur athletes found that elite gymnasts exhibited higher cognitive abilities, suggesting a link between cognitive function and sports performance excellence.
Is there a difference between cognitive functions and cognitive skills?5 answersCognitive functions and cognitive skills are related but distinct concepts. Cognitive functions refer to the higher brain functions that are involved in processes such as memory, thinking, and learning. These functions are essential for cognitive development and are considered predictors of cognitive performance. On the other hand, cognitive skills are specific abilities or competencies that are developed through cognitive functions and are related to academic achievement, employability, and other outcomes. For example, mathematics achievement is often affected by cognitive deficits. Cognitive skills can be assessed using scales or tests that measure different aspects of cognitive functioning. In summary, cognitive functions are the underlying processes that support cognitive skills, which are the specific abilities or competencies developed through these functions.
Is playing video games related to cognitive abilities?3 answersPlaying video games has been examined in several studies in relation to cognitive abilities. Some studies suggest that experienced video game players outperform non-players on certain cognitive measures, but when analyzing the full range of subjects, the relations between video game experience and cognitive abilities are near zero. Another study found that there are weak to nonexistent associations between playing commercial computer games and different cognitive abilities. Additionally, a meta-analysis of multiple studies found no evidence of a causal relationship between playing video games and enhanced cognitive ability. However, evidence suggests that video game play can result in enhancements to various cognitive faculties that generalize beyond the original context, although methodological issues need to be addressed. Action video games have been shown to enhance top-down attention and working memory, but have no significant effect on bottom-up attention.
Games improve cognitive function in stroke patients?5 answersIn stroke patients, cognitive training games, such as immersive virtual reality (IVR) puzzle games, Neuro-World serious mobile games, and computer-based cognitive training games like CoWMeG, have shown promising results in improving cognitive function. Additionally, a systematic review indicated that commercial video games are feasible tools in cognitive stroke rehabilitation. Furthermore, the development of virtual reality games specifically targeting dual cognitive tasks for stroke patients has been recognized as beneficial for rehabilitation. These findings collectively suggest that various types of games, including IVR, mobile, computer-based, and virtual reality games, have demonstrated potential in enhancing cognitive function in stroke patients.
How videogames affects cognitive skills?4 answersPlaying videogames can have a positive impact on cognitive skills. Empirical studies have shown that non-problematic use of videogames can lead to improved task-switching, attentional control, processing speed, and sub-second time perception. Specifically, action video games have been found to enhance a wide variety of cognitive skills, including low-level visual functions and higher-level executive functions. Video game playing has also been found to positively affect problem-solving ability in children, comparable to the effect of educational activities. Additionally, video game training has been shown to improve visual perception and visual scanning, regardless of whether the games are action or non-action genres. Engaging and beneficial games that enhance cognitive skills have been identified, with game performance found to increase with greater levels of engagement.