Sunday, July 27

Brain Training by Physical Exercise

Gamercize PC-Sport demonstrated live on BBC TV by health expert.


The question was raised today if employers have a responsibility of their employees health during the workday and this addressed by health expert, Jim McKenna.

What can employers expect by providing exercise at the desk? Increased productivity, less sick days and long term health. That's not a bad deal.

"Our data is quite conclusive... A day when I exercise versus a day when I don't, on average, I'll say that I am 17% more effective in my work." Jim McKenna, Professor of Physical Activity and Health, Leeds Metropolitan University told the BBC presenter of the Sunday Life programme.

He also added that by using exercise at work studies have proved that employees can burn enough energy to lose up to 20kg (44lbs) in weight in one healthy working year!

The Gamercize PC-Sport takes up less space than a desk footrest and was quiet and didn't leave Professor McKenna out of breath while chatting about the wider benefits of physical activity in the workplace.



For the more adventurous there is a treadmill desk, made by another company, that takes up quite a bit of space and costs 20 times the Gamercize option.

The programme will be available to watch on BBC's iPlayer shortly.




6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am glad to see some support for something that I have believed for a long time. Exercise helps you mentally. In the modern era where public schools are taking away P.E. classes, I see this as a breath of fresh air. Hopefully, this type of research will spread like wildfire and we can promote rather than prevent physical exercise.

Best,
Brian Jones

Anonymous said...

Hello,

I would be very interested in the research: what happen when you do both together: working and exercise.

With Gamercize you do both together at the same time.

Anonymous said...

Great article. We are only just learning how important it is to take care of our brains with physical and mental exercise.

Susanne Jaeggi and Martin Buschkuehl’s study on Improving Fluid Intelligence by Training Working Memory (PNAS April 2008) even recorded increases in mental agility (fluid intelligence) of more than 40% in less than 20 days with the right kind of brain training. Quite remarkable.

martin
mind evolve, llc

gamercize @ said...

Hi Brian

You are so right, the emphasis on passing tests in schools is really pushing physical and social education to the sidelines in favour of exam factories.

I hope the idea to promote exam results by increasing, not decreasing physical exercise really takes off!

Cheers
Richard

gamercize @ said...

Hi Sandra

I am getting a copy of the full paper when it is published, I'll link to them - until then the headline results are great news for exercise and Gamercize!

Thanks
Richard

gamercize @ said...

Hi Martin

I had no idea there was a link between physical exercise and mental agility - I'll follow up on the study you have suggested!

Cheers
Richard