Health Tip: Helpful Video Games

Playing action video games increases the visual field of view, which may improve driving skills and offset declines in age-related reaction times.

Playing action video games may help you be a better and safer driver. Researchers at the University of Rochester in New York found that action video gamers tend to be more attune to their surroundings while performing tasks. For example, in situations such as driving down a residential street they may be more likely to pick out a child running after a ball than a non-video gamer.

People who play action video games can process visual information more quickly and can track 30 percent more objects than non video game players.

As we age and reaction skills decline, perhaps we should spend a moderate amount of time on action video games. This may offset the age-related decline of reaction time by helping us see a greater field of vision, so we remain safe and competent drivers.

There's more on keeping your brain young here and related important information on improving memory here.

Source: AARP The Magazine, January & February, 2007 and National Geographic News, May, 2003