Playing video games, particularly action games, has been linked to increased attentional alertness, according to a recent study published in PeerJ. The study involved 72 undergraduate students from China’s Yangzhou University, divided into two groups. One group played the multiplayer online battle arena game “Honor of Kings,” known for its attention-demanding nature, while the other played the mobile card game “Happy Poker.” The researchers used the Attention Network Test before and after the gaming sessions to assess participants’ attention abilities.
Results indicated that the action game players experienced a significant enhancement in “alerting network efficiency,” a component of attention related to preparedness and maintaining heightened sensitivity to incoming information. This improvement was not observed in the card game group, emphasizing the relevance of the game type. The study suggests that even a brief session of mobile action gaming can positively impact cognitive function, specifically alertness.
The authors propose that the strategic demands of action games contribute to this cognitive boost by requiring constant shifts between broad surveillance and focused attention. The study highlights that this improvement in attentional network functions does not require long-term training but can be achieved with a short session of mobile action video gaming.
The researchers suggest that engaging in short sessions of mobile action video games during fragmented time intervals may be a more beneficial use of leisure time compared to passive consumption of information through short videos on mobile phones. The study underscores the potential cognitive benefits of video gaming, challenging conventional views and prompting further exploration of the relationship between gaming and cognitive function.
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