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Stop playing with yourself

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May 032010

So, it looks like those brain-stimulating games may have had #include <hot.air> as part of their marketing source code. I know, it’s shocking – advertizing claims might be divorced from reality! But, unfortunately for the creative minds behind the brain-training game industry, a recent study of the field suggests that they’re not actually making folks smarter.

Modest effects have been reported in some studies of older individuals and preschool children, and video-game players outperform non-players on some tests of visual attention. However, the widely held belief that commercially available computerized brain-training programs improve general cognitive function in the wider population in our opinion lacks empirical support. The central question is not whether performance on cognitive tests can be improved by training, but rather, whether those benefits transfer to other untrained tasks or lead to any general improvement in the level of cognitive functioning. Here we report the results of a six-week online study in which 11,430 participants trained several times each week on cognitive tasks…. Although improvements were observed in every one of the cognitive tasks that were trained, no evidence was found for transfer effects to untrained tasks, even when those tasks were cognitively closely related.

- Adrian M. Owen, et al

However, all is not gloom, doom, and more money to spend on power-leveling services new sneakers.

It’s April, fools!

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Apr 022010

Pitying Fools: Does it burn calories?

One of the (numerous) ways Mike and I differ is in our appreciation of April Fool’s Day. He’s on record as saying it’s one of his favorite holidays. I, on the other hand, want to smack people for anything more mischievous than Rickrolling me (that actually is a link to the video for “Never Gonna Give You Up.” What can I say? I think it’s catchy).

However, the beginning of April (or the end of Spring Break) does mean that it’s time for a fresh crop of fitness foolishness in the population at large. Much like New Years brings the resolutionists into the gym in flocks, so, too does the realization that summer is less than three months away. While we’re not all exercising to “show off that beach body” or whatever it is that Men’s Health and Shape are touting, it’s probably safe to say that we’re going to be getting outside a bit more as the weather gets nicer… maybe go to a couple cookouts, a picnic, that kind of thing.

Mixed messages

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Mar 312010

The Bad idea was Rafe's. The bad photoshop job is mine.

Long time readers of the site have probably picked up on the fact that Rafe and I have, at times, some very different views on what the “best” way to exercise is. As a general rule, Rafe is a big proponent of short, intense workouts designed to get the maximum benefit in the least amount of time. I, on the other hand, generally prefer the “slow and steady wins the race” approach. Instead of focusing on constantly trying to push my boundaries I find it’s more important to consistently get activity in at a level that is comfortable for me. Rafe has frequently characterized these mixed messages as our “good cop/bad cop” dichotomy. Rafe is the “bad cop” who will push you to levels that make you want to puke, while I’m the “good cop” that encourages you to be gentle with yourself. Both of us are trying to get the same thing out of you, but we do it in two radically different ways.

So who is right?

Well it turns out…we both are.

Michelle Obama is looking for health oriented applications

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Mar 162010

While the First Lady of the United States of America has no official title or responsibilities, it has become tradition for the women in this arguably influential role to associate themselves with a humanitarian cause during their husbands administration. In the past few decades we have seen examples of this in Laura Bush’s efforts in support of womens’ rights and childhood literacy, Hillary Clinton’s push for Health Care reform, and (perhaps most famously) Nancy Reagan and her Just Say No anti-drug campaign. First Lady Michelle Obama is no exception to this tradition, and she’s taken up the fight against what many feel is an increasingly dangerous threat to our overall health as a nation – childhood obesity.

According to statistics from the Center for Disease Control, the number of children who are overweight to the point of obesity has increased dramatically since 1980. The percentage of children aged 12 to 19 who fell into this extremely unhealthy weight range (generally considered to be 50 pounds or more overweight) increased from 5% to a stunning 17.6% in 2006, more than tripling the 1980 numbers. Unsurprisingly, research has shown that nearly 80% of children who are obese between the ages of 10 and 15 continue to hold that unhappy distinction into adulthood. With obesity being linked to serious life threatening diseases such as Type II Diabetes and Heart Disease, it is clear that this trend is not only bad for our well-being as a nation but that it is also puts a strain on our already financially strapped health care system.

Practical applications

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Feb 102010

It's never too early to play a little RL Dig Dug (image by abbybatchelder on Flickr)

“Strong people are harder to kill, and more useful in general.” – Mark Rippetoe

Having grown up in Buffalo, I’m no stranger to encountering large amounts of the white stuff vigorously and repeatedly burying the upper-right quadrant of the United States. However, living in Florida, we’re missing out on the fun.

I’m not actually being facetious or snarky, for a change. Mowing the lawn on New Years’ Day is nice, but kind of lame when it comes to instilling that whole “winter” motif. We can’t make a decent backyard ice rink, have a snowball fight, or get a “snow day” away from the office.

Put down the shovels, torches, and pitchforks, people. Well, not the shovels. Record snowfall is obviously a huge inconvenience, and we want to make sure everyone stays safe, warm, and all that good stuff. However, you can still turn it to your advantage, even if you’re not a frost-spec Mage.