Researchers from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia have identified distinct benefits that dynamic video game enthusiasts may experience compared with those who rarely engage with these games. The findings appear in a scientific journal focused on optometry and vision science.
Earlier studies have shown that action video games, including first person and shooter styles, can sharpen visual attention. These games demand quick, timed responses that span the entire visual field, challenging players to monitor multiple locations and respond rapidly to evolving scenes.
The study recruited students from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, aged roughly 20 to 30. Participation required involvement in team sports or tennis for less than five hours weekly because those activities can influence dynamic visual acuity. Researchers established baseline requirements for static visual acuity before testing participants.
Results indicated that engaging in video games for five hours each week enhanced dynamic visual acuity relative to peers who did not log that amount of gaming time.
According to the researchers, frequent players demonstrated superior dynamic visual acuity at speeds of 57 and 28.5 degrees per second with high contrast stimuli compared with occasional players. They note that first person shooters tend to be the most consistently associated with higher dynamic visual acuity scores.
In related notes, prior work has explored innovative interfaces that enable players to interact with games using brain signals, illustrating the broader range of possibilities in how attention and perception can be trained through digital play.