Exercise turns brains on and improves the ability to think, learn, and perform, says John J. Ratey, clinical associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. But in this ever-changing world of technology, kids are not moving. Parents and educators want kids to succeed academically in schools, but it’s no good when their brains are turned off.
With the downward trend in physical activity at schools, kids are becoming sluggish while simultaneously becoming obese. Dr. Ratey believes kids should be having fun while exercising on a regular basis in order for their brain and body to function. “Memory retention and learning functions are all about brain cells actually changing, growing, and working better together…Exercise creates the best environment for that process to occur, says Ratey.
The question is how to get kids to have fun while exercising? The solution is exergames. Exergames are an exciting way to motivate kids to exercise. They have been proven to enhance academic performance by building new brain cells and neurological connections that increase learning, memory, and critical thinking. By incorporating technology into fitness, video games won’t anymore be seen as the enemy. In this digital world kids can play the games, but MOVE in order to play.