Posted on 08/15/2023 7:36:55 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
Older adults who play digital puzzle games have the same memory abilities as people in their 20s, a study has shown.
The study also found that adults aged 60 and over who play digital puzzle games had a greater ability to ignore irrelevant distractions, but older adults who played strategy games did not show the same improvements in memory or concentration.
It is known that as humans age, their mental abilities tend to decrease, particularly the ability to remember a number of things at a single time—known as working memory.
"It instead seems to be the strategy elements of the games—planning and problem solving for example— that stimulates better memory and attention in young people. We don't see this same effect in older adults, however, and more research is needed to understand why this is. We can't yet rule out that the strategy games played by older people are not as difficult as the games played by younger people and that the level of challenge might be important in memory improvement."
The study included older and younger adults playing digital games that they would normally play in their "real lives." This resulted in a wide range of games to be tested alongside a digital experiment that required participants to memorize images, while being distracted.
"Puzzle games for older people had this surprising ability to support mental capabilities to the extent that memory and concentration levels were the same as a 20 year-olds who had not played puzzle games."
Older people were however more likely to forget elements committed to memory while being distracted if they only played strategy games, and young people were less successful at focusing attention if they played only puzzle games.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
Well, I hope you are enjoying yourself!
What more can one ask?
You have to memorized the three cards you passed ...
Well, I caught that!
... at 74, I’m feeling the old, but I don’t feel old, you know?
I guess I don’t understand the difference between digital and strategy games. Can’t strategy games be digital, and vice versa?
Is Sudoku in a book considered a digital game?
While at my computer at home, on a call waiting on hold, I’ll play Mahjong or Zuma. Sounds is mindless; Mahjong requires some memory.
“my favorite is Zuma.”
Me, too.
I just watched that movie last week! 😁
Sudoku!......................
Thanks, I believe it helps keep mind sharp.
Ha!
“I want to play Global Nuclear War”
”Fine”
I just watched that movie last week! 😁
Ally was so cute back then.
Sorry, the zebub is the fly, the zebu is the ox.
Must study dictionary harder!
I suppose if I was in Assisted Living I would have time for these games...but I am too busy with life...but then I have never been a games person...cannot sit still long enough. My next challenge is becoming a certified Pilates Instructor.
I think the difference they are concerned with is strategy games versus memory games. Both can be digital.
Sounds like you are still young enough not to have agonizing arthritis pain, circulation difficulties, bone and tooth loss, vision challenges, side effects from medicines for the above, inablility to afford adequate diet or treatments for the above, or other issues of really old age. Enjoy it while you can. And remember to respect those who suffer bodily, but keep their brain sharp with what they can still do, including games. You may be one of them some day.
It is upside down in down clue. In an across clue, yes, it would be backwards.
Wasn’t meant as criticism...my day will come...
Well, you’re right to keep going at the top of your abilities as long as possible!
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