Video Gaming Promotes Healthy Physical Activity

Computer games are played on a personal computer or other digital platform and have no physical components or mechanisms. They can be played back over again until the user is able to memorize the layout and learn strategies for performing on-screen functions. Computer games can be single player and multi-player in which one player controls various characters in a game environment, while the other player acts as a non-player character who performs designated non-player functions. In interactive computer games, players use a keyboard or mouse input to manipulate objects on the screen and participate in virtual worlds that evolve based on representations of reality. Computer games also use technology to display text or images, and to track user interaction with the game environment. Games can be packaged with software that allows the owner of the game to create and customize settings and user play, and players use keyboarding or pointing devices to perform functions in games.

Video games are generally defined as any computer-based programs that require players to interact with an external interface to perform tasks, usually through the keyboard and mouse, to move objects on a virtual screen. A computer game or video game is generally an electronic game that entails interaction with a user interface (joystick, keyboard, mouse, or other motion detecting devices) or input device, including a joystick, gamepad, keyboard or gamepad, or a number of hand-held devices (usually wireless internet enabled devices). In addition, many video games now include additional components such as memory, video display, speakers, and CD-ROM drives. Online gaming experience is usually provided by multiplayer services where two or more individuals connect to play the game against each other using dedicated personal computers or their personal network of personal computers (LANs).

Gaming involves physical activities and brain processes similar to those of physical activities such as running, jumping, climbing, walking, and shooting. The reason why games stimulate physical activities is that these activities are matched with optimal situations where the brain operates at its optimum level. This matches the natural tendencies of the human brain for finding certain types of physical activities to be enjoyable. Therefore, the use of gaming is very important to promote good health and fitness as it enables people to have fun and participate in physical activities they would not normally be able to do.