1Up Or Game Over? The Never Ending Debate Over Videogames And Health
If you have stumbled across this article, there is a high chance that you are already a videogames aficionado and that the incessant health warnings in relation to the medium are unlikely to curb your habit any time soon. Nevertheless, the wisest decisions are informed decisions and so here is a break down of the various pros and cons of being a great big gaming nerd that have been previously discussed by health practitioners and the media alike.
At the very least, the following will provide you with ammunition to help you stand your ground the next time you mother or a friend of yours claims that you’re spending far too much time with your PS3 or 360…
Game over (The CONS)
It makes sense to start this piece with a list of the most common health worries related to videogames, for these are the points that are most often raised by the press – well, they do make for attention yielding sensationalistic journalism…
- RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury): The increasing popularity of motion sensitive gaming has seen RSI discussed often, as those with a penchant for Wii Sports and other vigorous titles began to feel pain after long sessions of play (it should be noted that players are continuously reminded to take regular breaks by the console and its games). There is concern that repeated RSI injuries could eventually lead to other joint ailments like arthritis.
- Inability to socialise: We all know of the (incorrect) stereotype that all gamers lock themselves away from the world and barely see the light of day to socialise with others. This stigma is unlikely to end any time soon, due to a few uneducated commenters who have somehow escaped the fact that videogames are now popular with a wide variety of people, many of which actually enjoy leaving the confines of their homes on a regular basis.
- Insomnia: It can be extremely difficult to adjust weird sleeping patterns which result from staying up all night to make progress in a videogame and this can see people skipping sleep altogether. Lack of sleep can affect many aspects of health and one’s ability to learn also but this hasn’t stopped my brother attending college lectures without even one of his necessary 40 winks!
- Weight gain: It is well known that sitting on your arse all day will see your waist line expand. Videogames then, have been blamed in part for the obesity crisis; for it is an activity one might choose to do whilst sitting on said posterior. It is also a well known fact that an avocado salad does not taste as good as the junk food and soda that many players choose to munch through during a session (and most likely; when they are not gaming too).
- Violence: Videogames are often cited as causing violent behaviour in players despite the fact that many psychologists have determined that this is extremely rare and can only occur in those with particular existing mental and emotional dispositions.
Power Ups (The PROS)
Use these snippets of knowledge to slap down anyone who dare criticise your gaming habit in the future:
- Cognitive development: Not only do videogames have the potential to teach us things we didn’t know before playing them (examples can be as simple as LA Noir informing us about what cars people drove in 1940’s Los Angeles) but games also have a positive influence on a player’s ability to make decisions and they can improve memory too (at least, this is what research by psychologist Daphne Bavelier of the University of Rochester in New York claimed). Proof that making hordes of the undead explode in Left 4 Dead is good for the old noggin!
- Improving emotional dispositions: Videogames reward us when we do well by unlocking new features or awarding an Achievement and this can have a very positive effect on one’s self esteem. Sometimes it can be hard to see value in the actions we make in real life, due to lack of reward. This is why games can be simultaneously useful in addressing the problems of depression. Jane McGonigal’s book ‘Reality is Broken’ explores this theorem more deeply.
- Stress relief: I know that I feel less anxious about work matters once I have spent my lunchtime kicking ass on Tekken 6 with some work colleagues in the games den, so I can’t say I was surprised to hear that Texas A&M International University found the medium to be an effective stress buster. It is not just violent games that have this effect however – the diversion offered by any videogame can aid to reduce stress.
- Social skills: Contrary to the stereotype of gaming geeks, videogames can improve ones ability to communicate and connect with those around them. Back in 2008 a Swedish professor used MMO World of Warcraft to help teach a group of “unmotivated” and “poor performing” school children for an entire school year. Their marks not only improved significantly but it was noted how much more comfortable these individuals were at talking to new people and socially integrating themselves. Headsets and internet connections can see WoW players talking to strangers often so this makes perfect sense.
- Pain Relief: Videogames are a great distraction for those suffering intense pain. Professor Griffiths of Nottingham Trent University has seen how the treatment can help children undergoing painful treatments, such as chemotherapy by offering them an effective distraction. Well, it is hard to concentrate on anything else when going for a perfect note streak in Guitar Hero or attempting to beat your lap record for a track in Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit. The power of immersion, eh?
- Physiotherapeutic benefits: Videogames have been used effectively by doctors and their patients to aid the recovery of various arm injuries. Studies by researchers at universities across Toronto and Montreal in Canada have also indicated that the medium can prove helpful for individuals unfortunate enough to have suffered a stroke, by improving the mobility and strength of affected limbs.
- Improved dexterity: Research by Iowa State University professors has indicated that playing videogames can be useful for surgeons wishing to improve their dexterity. The study was conducted with a group of Laparoscopic surgeons. Those who use their spare time to play video games were 27% faster at advanced surgical procedures, and made 37% fewer errors, compared to their non-gaming colleagues. The Trauma Centre series has never seemed so useful!
- Weight loss: Motion sensitive gaming in the form of The Nintendo Wii, Xbox’s Kinect system and PS3’s Move has been declared many a time as a weight loss tool. Whilst the likes of Wii Fit and Zumba Fitness can see many calories burnt, it is worth pointing out that the majority of gamers outside of the casual gaming market will – for the most part – be found sat comfortably on their arses when indulging their hobby.
Although it is great to know that there are counter arguments for many of the criticisms of videogames in relation to health, it is true that too much of anything can be bad for you. Do yourself a favour – and silence your detractors – by undertaking some physical activity away from your beloved console every once in a while.
The author of this post – Kat Cole – is an avid Playstation 3 fan and cannot wait for her pre ordered copy of Battlefield 3 to drop through her letterbox in October. Duke Nukem Forever is hogging her every spare moment in the meantime.
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