Stand Up & Learn
Since the advent of TVs, VCRs, and computers, we have seen an increase in anxiety and affective disorders that mirror the increase of ADD and ADHD. It’s not just kids; adults have been affected as well.
Movement and balance appear to be the key to appropriate brain development. Physical activity and cognition are essentially the same process, as we shall explain later.
We are faced today with children — and adults — who appear unmanageable or unresponsive. They fail in school, can’t sit still, can’t spell, and won’t listen. Many parents would prefer that their children not take medications, but are at a loss as to available and effective alternatives.
Movement & The Human Brain
What makes humans really unique is the fact that we stand upright and have a large brain. Our ancestors seven million years ago had this large of a brain, but they didn’t speak, they didn’t use tools, and they didn’t have complex social groups or families. Why did they develop a large brain when they really didn’t “need” it?
The brain is receptor–driven. This means the brain operates and develops in response to stimuli, such as sound, light, pressure, and temperature. The majority of these receptors are found in the muscle spindles of the postural muscles, especially the intrinsic muscles of the spine. They are stretch receptors that are stimulated by the effects of gravity, especially by upright movement under gravity. Gravity is the only stimulus that is constant over time. It does not change.
Coordination Is Key
Walking on two feet is very difficult. It takes a lot of balance, coordination, synchronization, and timing of muscles. It takes a tremendous amount of motor control. It takes constant output from the brain and constant feedback to the brain. When we are in an upright position, these receptors constantly fire back to the brain. They stimulate the brain. It appears that, as we stood in an upright position or as we became more and more upright, our brain grew larger and larger in response to this constant stimulus of gravity.
Decreased stimulation from postural muscles to the cerebellum and brain — anything that takes us away from standing and being upright — will affect our brain in an adverse way. It will slow down the temporal processing speed of the brain, or parts of the brain, with resulting “clumsiness” and cognitive developmental delays. There is a solution for this increase in delays of cognitive development and lack of coordination, though.
At Exergame Fitness, we focus on motivating kids and adults to move more through fun, interactive fitness games called exergames. We blend video games with physical activity so that people can stay active and keeping their receptors firing, while also creating an active environment that people will enjoy.
Our exergame products are tested for quality and enjoyment, choosing only the best products to offer to the public. If you own a fitness facility and would like to have exergames installed, contact us.
For more information on Exergame & Exerlearning products:
530 West Colfax
Palatine, IL. 60067
Office: 847.963.8969 x1103