The Mind Behind Nintendo Brain Training Claims Manual Cars Keep You Sharp
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
Dr Ryuta Kawashima, the neuroscientist behind Nintendo's Brain Training series, has released a study suggesting that driving manual transmission cars boosts cognitive function and helps prevent dementia.
If you spent your childhood or commutes playing Brain Age on Nintendo DS, you likely remember Dr Ryuta Kawashima pushing you through quick mental arithmetic and memory tests. The neuroscientist behind those iconic puzzle games is back in the headlines with a rather unexpected piece of real world advice. According to a recent study led by Kawashima, driving a manual transmission car provides significant cognitive benefits that could potentially help prevent dementia later in life.
While modern driving trends lean heavily toward automatics and electric vehicles with single speed setups, Kawashima points out that the complex coordination required to handle a stick shift forces the brain to work harder. Managing a clutch, timing gear shifts, and constantly evaluating speed and road conditions simultaneously activates multiple regions of the brain. For players who translate fast hand eye coordination from fast paced multiplayer titles into everyday skills, the idea that physical controls demand more mental engagement feels entirely natural.
Of course, finding a manual car on dealership lots is becoming increasingly difficult as automated systems and driver assist tech take over our daily commutes. Still, it is a fascinating intersection of neuroscience and mechanical habits. As reported by IGN South Africa, this research bridges the gap between everyday lifestyle choices and long term cognitive health, proving that sometimes doing things the hard way keeps our processing speeds sharp long after we put the controller down.
Tags: Gaming, Culture, Nintendo, Neuroscience, Lifestyle
Original article: IGN South Africa