Gaming is good for you, Vol. EleventyTwenty – Improved Vision

Posted by Matt Little , Apr, 2009 @ 10:59 am

From the “Duh” vs. “Colloquial Wisdom” Department:

According to a new study conducted by Tel Aviv University (home of the Fightin’ Israelites!), gaming is good for your vision, despite everything your mom shouted at you while you were concentrating on your Super Metroid speed run.

Using FPS games like Unreal Tournament 2004 and Call of Duty 2, scientists were able to determine that performing at a high skill level in these games helps one’s contrast sensitivity, a fancy way to say it strengthens ones eyesight and helps them from going colorblind. After playing 50 hours over the course of 9 weeks, subjects were able to more effectively discern different shades of gray, which is more of an important factor in your vision than you think. Quoth the eggheads:

This is of practical importance when driving at night or under degraded conditions, as well as during activities such as reading, which are known to correlate with CSF at 6 cycles per degree. More generally, our results establish that time spent in front of a computer screen is not necessarily detrimental to vision.

Yeah, you hear that, parents (says the nerd without kids)? Gaming can be good for you. Plus, as an added bonus, when your girlfriend/wife asks what you think about the paint color samples, you’ll be able to give an informed opinion on the difference between Eggshell and Custard.

- Enhancing the contrast sensitivity function through action video game training [Nature Magazine]

Tags: Call of Duty, Call of Duty 2, Everything bad is good for you, FPS, gaming, Metroid, studies, Tel Aviv University, unreal tournament, Unreal Tournament 2004, video games