Exergaming. Photo credit: Frontier’s Media
VirZOOM is one of the most successful mainstream fitness apps out there. It has helped many of our readers, even some that we highlighted, lose weight and stay fit. The system constantly offers new experiences. Future technologies will use recumbents to recreate relaxing rides through the forest. It’s almost safe to say that the nature of the Spin class is completely changing thanks to VR.
It turns out that all of these VR exercises that scientists call “exergaming” also have significant effects on brain health. We learned that virtual reality could help rewire the brains of Parkinson’s patients, and a new study suggests similar benefits in Alzheimer’s disease.
What is exergaming?
If you follow this blog you already know what exergaming is, but it is a term that refers to physically engaging video gaming experiences. It is important that the experiences are virtual because exergaming works best on a class of people who cannot practice traditional sports. Some of the earliest examples were balance board games like Wii Fit, but rhythm games like Dance Dance Revolution also found use in this category.
 100vw, 300px “data-recalc-dims =” 1 “/> Credit: Frontier Media</p>
<p>Exergaming is not strenuous, relaxing and fun. It is designed to activate both the brain and the body every time you enter a virtual world. They train your mind for improved:</p>
<ul>
<li>Ambidextrous training exercises</li>
<li>reaction time</li>
<li>Hand-eye coordination</li>
<li>Make a decision</li>
</ul>
<p>Exergaming also stimulates your emotions and senses. Increased brain activity, coupled with actions in the body, help to “train” the whole body and the brain at the same time. In a virtual world, the experience and level of difficulty are also highly customizable so that each patient can find a unique experience.</p>
<h2>Study and results</h2>
<p>For several months, the patients sat in what the team calls the “cyber cycle”. There the patients cycled along a virtual route that was projected onto a screen in front of them in two studies. Exerscore ran patients over matching goals to increase their high score, while Exertour asked users to navigate a course.</p>
<p>The study identified some key interactions that may be underestimated. Patients moved faster or slower depending on the terrain, and the interviewed patients appeared to have better vocal skills. In addition, the patients experienced both applications and showed higher exerscores over time. The improved results suggest that patients have learned who is better at playing the game and may have thought about it outside of the test room.</p>
<p>Obviously, the sample size of a small community is insufficient to make blanket generalizations. However, these results are in line with what we’ve already seen with VR health: improved brain function, better reaction times, better physical fitness, which contributes to greater agility.</p>
<p>Will It Stop Alzheimer’s Completely? No. However, patients did better or equal on verbal cognition and some physical exams. It is also encouraging to note that many patients had scores that appeared to “catch up” with baseline, indicating real mental progress.</p>
<h2>The central theses</h2>
<p>Exergaming is a useful step in a flurry of treatment options to improve brain function in aging patients or athletes with brain injuries. The key is to avoid strenuous exercise and opt for a more balanced approach. Focus on experiences that you can physically experience without overexertion, especially if those experiences require decision-making or mental awareness.</p>
<h2>Final thoughts</h2>
<p>Gaming demands our mental abilities more than we previously thought, and the VR signals signal to the brain that we are seeing something real. The baseline in this study was an essential step in showing how VR can improve or maintain mental abilities. Creating a system that helps patients move around, especially when they wouldn’t otherwise, is an inexpensive form of physical fitness anyone can do at home.</p>
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