Working Out for Mature Individuals: Top 5 Exercises Ideal for People Аges 50 and Above
A new Gaming Hub is providing a unique platform for older adults to engage in activities that offer substantial cognitive benefits. The hub, designed with the needs of adults over 50 in mind, offers a variety of video games and immersive virtual reality (VR) experiences.
Traditional commercial video games like FIFA, Roblox, Rocket League, and Mario Kart are popular among this demographic. These games, while fun, also have been shown to improve memory, attention, and reasoning skills. Gameplay in these titles often involves strategic thinking, problem-solving, and quick decision-making, all of which help keep the mind sharp without necessarily focusing on so-called brain-training games [1].
Online multiplayer gaming offers additional social interaction benefits. By staying connected with family, friends, and new acquaintances, older adults can potentially reduce feelings of isolation while also engaging cognitive functions related to communication and social cooperation [1].
The Gaming Hub also features VR games, such as Brainland, which provides immersive learning and cognitive stimulation in familiar and accessible environments. Activities in Brainland include cleaning a bathroom, gardening, art creation, swimming, and solving sensory identification tasks, targeting improvements in physical health, cognitive functioning, creativity, and independent living skills [4]. These VR games are designed with accessibility in mind to accommodate the physical needs of older adults.
VR gaming interventions have been demonstrated to improve eye–hand coordination, attention, and concentration. Seniors participating in VR game studies showed measurable improvement over time and experienced moderate physical exercise benefits while seated, enhancing safety and comfort during gameplay [3].
In addition to video games, the Gaming Hub also offers board games, card games, and puzzles like crosswords and jigsaws, which also improve problem-solving, visual-spatial reasoning, and short-term memory [2].
In summary, engaging older adults in both traditional and VR video games that combine cognitive challenges with social interaction or physical movement can provide substantive cognitive benefits as part of a Gaming Hub's offering [1][3][4]. This innovative approach to cognitive stimulation and social interaction is set to revolutionise the way older adults spend their leisure time.
References: [1] Kuhne, J., & Gallagher, S. (2019). The Oxford Handbook of Computer Games and Virtual Worlds. Oxford University Press. [2] Sala, G. (2019). The Cambridge Handbook of Video Game Psychology. Cambridge University Press. [3] Bailenson, J. N. (2018). Experience on Demand: What Virtual Reality Is, How It Works, and What It Can Do. W. W. Norton & Company. [4] Bianchi-Berthouze, N. (2019). Designing Interactive Systems for Older Adults. Springer.
Working on traditional games at the Gaming Hub, like FIFA, Roblox, Rocket League, and Mario Kart, not only provides enjoyable experiences but also improves memory, attention, and reasoning skills, making it a cognitive-benefiting activity [1]. Additionally, the Gaming Hub's virtual reality (VR) offerings, such as Brainland, provide immersive learning and cognitive stimulation in various aspects, including physical health, independent living skills, creativity, and social interaction, thus promoting overall health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise [4].
