Should a Game Determine the Age of a Brain?

LJWorld.com weblogs Linda's Backroad Musings

Posted by Linda Hanney January 2, 2009 at 12:23 a.m.

Up until this year, GSCG (Grandparents Suggested Christmas Gifts) only included plug and play games. They were fun enough bringing back the old Pac-Man’s ferocious appetite.With the oldest grandson now almost ten, the parents finally gave in to requests for the newer handheld games for Christmas. Thus, my GSCP this year included games for various brands of electronic devices. It didn’t take long to figure out the popular games. They were sold out. I started getting up early in the morning to check web sites for availability. The last one arrived two days before Christmas. Christmas Day dawned with five little heads bending over their new electronic toys. Even the adults enjoyed bowling a line. Our little four-year-old punching her brother instead of his “Me” in their boxing match prompted a quick turnoff. I’ll be honest. I became quite intrigued with the whole thing. So, guess what Santa brought me—an electronic toy with two games: Brain Age (Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day!) and My Fun Facts. As the name implies, Brain Age has interesting little tests, which are supposed to determine whether your brain is healthy. As an example, there is a list and you are to say the color of print of a color name as quickly as you can. There are about ten basic arithmetic problems but they require close attention to what is being asked. There is a list of around 30 words that you are to memorize in three minutes and then have one minute to write as many as possible. This game is billed as brain training. It says mine is 56. And, it says my brain is only “walking.” Perhaps these game manufacturers are on to something. Especially if they convince adults we need one of them as we get older to keep the brain healthy. Well, at any rate, I agree with the grandkids, it is fun.

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Ronda Miller 4 years, 4 months ago

I love playing these types of brain games as well. I have read just recently however, that the brain stays young the same way the rest of the body does...and it does this best through physical exercise...not to say mental exercise isn't somewhat helpful...just nothing close to what physical exercise does for it. I am sure it has to do with blood pumped through it....chemical release....etc. So don't sit and play....get up and dance, dance, dance the night away. work it, move it