Do video games make better athletes?
Does playing video games make you an athlete? The short and simple answer is yes, video sports games can be used to make better-performing athletes.
In 2013, the prestigious New York Times reported that USA Hockey had been using technology companies IntelliGym software for five seasons. The company’s sports hockey game was said to have had a positive translatable impact on young US hockey athletes who use it.
The better question is, can playing video games make you a better athlete?
IntelliGym is said to have a real impact and can give a reason why young American hockey players have become better and more competitive in recent years. While the top-level senior men’s hockey team hasn’t won a major championship since 1996, the American junior and youth teams have exceeded expectations. The future of American hockey may include extra time in front of the computer screen to increase on-ice performance.
What does software IntelliGym cost?
Players who choose a 12-month year-long package pay $29 per month to access online sports games. Organizations and sports teams can pay a reduced $18 per month for each gamer. The reality is high-level athletes will always need to spend time training, stretching, development, rehabbing, and exercising their bodies. But there could also be time for virtual or video training. With this new concept being introduced, can a video game realistically give an athlete’s mind an edge over opposing competition, and is it worth the time, costs, and effort?
From Old Days To 100 Billion
Video games have progressed far beyond Atari, Coleco Visions, and Playstation. Video games are now mimicking real life, and this is especially true for sports games such and NBA, NFL Madden, and Premier League Soccer.
“In past times, It used to be ‘what movie should we watch’ and now it’s ‘whether to watch or experience,'” wrote Matthew Ball, tech expert and ex-head of strategy at Amazon Studios. “That was the question, And now the answer is no, I’m going to go play a video game or more so a game that is like a movie and allows me to be part of the experience.'”
Just how often are youth, young adults, and even established adults choosing to play or engage video games versus reach for the TV remote? An overview of the statistics tells the story that a lot of us are experiencing. In 2019, the video gaming industry made a huge amount of money at $120 billion in revenue. Tech and economic experts predict it could reach $200 billion within two years.
Let me say that again… tech and economic experts are predicted to double the growth in two years! An incredible 100 million video game viewers tuned in to watch players compete in the World Championship of the game League of Legends. This was a bigger watch radius than a larger Super Bowl, and with no NBA, it could be this year’s only entertainment. By 2021, it’s projected not predicted that 2.7 billion people, which is about one-third of capable people of the world’s population, will be video game players. Considering that some of our 6 billion are under the age of 5, this is incredible.
Video GAMING INDUSTRY REVENUE IN 2019
(Revenue SOURCE: SUPERDATA)
Mobile video gaming: $64.4 billion
PC video gaming: $29.6 billion
Console video gaming: $15.4 billion
Game-related videos: $6.5 billion
VR and AR gaming: $6.3 billion
Transformation of the Video Game Industry
Big tech Silicon Valley companies are seizing the opportunity: Apple, Google, and Amazon are all increasing efforts to develop new gaming products. In the fall of 2019, Apple released a game subscription service Apple Arcade.
Then Silicon Valley giant Google launched Stadia, which allows players to stream major popular game titles directly from the Cloud to their PC device rather than messing with downloads or issues with the physical console.
So gaming made it easier with the cloud. Google will store, give access, and make it easier for gamers. Lastly, Amazon acquired Twitch in 2014, which is the most popular platform to watch gamers play. It’s like TNT Basketball for gamers. They have discussed their own plans to launch its own game-streaming service.
15 Ways Video Games Can Make You a Better Athlete
Sport Specific Video Games Van Be USed As Simulator
Video games are now helping athletes perform better, as some sports such as Formula One have simulators that simulate driving without the risk.
Sports Video Games Can Give You An Analytical Perspective
NBA basketball 2k and Football have implemented the use of analytics to give players a better perspective of tendencies and player abilities. This data is typically taken directly from the physical on the field NBA and NFL players.
Sport Specific Video Games Can Help You Identify The Tendencies of Your Opposing Team
Additionally, the NBA is a game of analytics, so playing video games can give you a better grasp of the opposing team’s tendencies. The game at the end of the game is to use analytics. Playing a simulated game can give you a better understanding of patterns, and combined with game data, you can gain even more valuable insight about on the field NBA and NFL.
Improve Decision Making
Playing video games can help you create better decision-making habits, as the games are high paced, and any error in decision making can be the difference in losing the entire game. For example, each NBA 2k Team has six players, not the normal 15 on a traditional NBA team. This limited resource pool increases the responsibility on players.
Teach Focus and Attention To Detail
Video games are about focus and concentration. This requires 100% focus, and any lack of concentration can be the difference. This is evident as players play for hours without knowing the time that has passed.
Exercising The Mind In The Right Way Can Give an Athlete the Edge
If you can use video games to help you train skills that you use during physical activity, it can most definitely give you a mental edge. The key is using video games in the proper way and in proper ratio to physical training.
Improve Problem Solving Skills
Many video games require you to think outside the box, solve problems in a limited time and under pressure. This type of training under pressure can assist you in developing better problem-solving skills that can support you in life and in sport.
Enhance Memory
One of the best benefits of video games can be improved memory, as you must remember tendencies, details, and codes to unlock new features. This can enhance your memory when playing responsibly.
Can Improve Multitasking Skills
Gamers are often asked to multitask during games. Learning to multitask on the fly gives a person the ability to stay on task when others are easily distracted.
Great In-Home Trainer To Stay Sharp Mentally
Given the current challenge of COVID-19, gaming can be a great tool to keep your mind sharp as it relates to your sport and, additionally, thinking of new and revolutionary ways to approach your sport.
Can Be Used To Aid Injury Recovery
At some point, athletes are faced with injuries. The rehab process can be taxing and tough on the mind. Gaming can be a way to still feel like you are playing while also taking your mind away from recovery. The positive outlet can be useful during long rehab periods.
Fight Against Bad Habits
Decisions, choices, and bad habits are some of the stumbling blocks to life success. Gaming can be a useful positive outlet for some athletes struggling with habits that are toxic on the mind, body, and career, as they can literally retrain their brains to make better impulse decisions. They key here is the types of games played. There are some games that encourage bad choices, so it’s important to ensure games that put the gamer in situations that encourage good decisions.
Maintain Social Connections
Elite-level athletes spend a lot of time on the road traveling from game to game. It can be extremely lonely, and feelings of isolation can enter the mind. Choosing gaming while playing virtually with friends or family back home can keep you connected when distance makes face to face connections impossible.
See the Sport from a Coach’s Perspective
Playing esports at a high level can give an esport athlete or gamer a different perspective. You are changing from a player to more of a coach or strategy expert. This new-found sport-specific IQ can serve you well in your sport.
Esports NBA Recognition
Esports players are recognized by the NBA, which clarified any argument if they are considered athletes. They train, study, and practice. The only difference is they do not put out the same physical muscle output as their physical game playing predecessors. But most assuredly, they are putting out an equal amount of mental energy during the game, which at the very least would make them mental athletes. In addition, they develop hand-eye coordination and reflexes that are rare. Elite-level gamers are professionals most definitely.
In Conclusion: Does Playing Video Games Make You an Athlete?
Choosing to play games nonstop may seem enticing. But spending long hours inside in front of a computer screen is not good for your health and certainly won’t make you a great athlete. If you use gaming in combination with traditional sports specific training, however, you may see some improvement in your sport.
Athletes need to breathe fresh air, absorb vitamin D from the sun, and additionally need human touch. While gaming can be beneficial, gamers must not forget to take time to get out in nature, touch someone, look into the sky, and feel the sun rays.