DIGITAL LIFE

Study reveals playing League of Legends may improve brain function

Recent research suggests that one of the world's most popular games may be doing more than just entertaining. The observed effects have even caught the attention of the scientific community.

For a long time, video games were seen only as a pastime — or even as a harmful distraction. But this perception has been changing as science begins to investigate their effects on the brain. Amid this debate, a recent study analyzed one of the world's most popular games and found results that may surprise even the most skeptical.

League of Legends, one of the most influential titles of the last decade, was analyzed in a study conducted by scientists at the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China.

The study, published in the journal Brain Sciences, followed 68 students over five months. The goal was to understand how different types of games impact cognitive performance.

To do this, the researchers compared League of Legends players with participants who played Sanguosha, a popular turn-based card game in China. The difference in results was clear.

What changes in the brain of someone who plays...Participants who played League of Legends showed better performance in tasks that require simultaneous attention to multiple elements and quick decision-making.

This type of skill is essential in competitive games, where the player needs to monitor several objectives at the same time, react to unexpected changes, and make decisions in fractions of a second.

But the most relevant data came from neurological analyses. Electroencephalogram exams showed that players developed more efficient brain networks, suggesting an adaptation of the brain to this type of complex stimulus.

An effect that goes beyond game time...Another point that caught attention was the duration of the effects. Even after the end of the gaming sessions, the cognitive benefits continued to be observed for weeks. About ten weeks later, the participants still showed improvements compared to the comparison group. This indicates that the impact is not just momentary, but can generate more lasting changes.

This result reinforces the idea that certain types of games not only stimulate the brain in the short term, but also contribute to the development of cognitive skills over time. League of Legends belongs to the MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) genre, known for demanding a high level of strategy, coordination, and constant adaptation.

Unlike more predictable games, it places the player in dynamic scenarios, where each match is different from the previous one. This forces the brain to process information quickly, adjust strategies, and deal with multiple variables at the same time.

This highly complex environment seems to be one of the factors that explain the gains observed in the research.

Since its launch in 2009, League of Legends has not only established itself as one of the most popular games in the world, but has also helped shape the esports landscape.

With a massive global community, high-level competitions, and a cultural impact that transcends video games—including productions like Arcane—the game has become a modern entertainment phenomenon.

Now, with scientific evidence pointing to cognitive benefits, it is also taking on a different space: that of a potential tool for mental development.

This does not mean that all video games bring the same effects, nor that screen time should be ignored. But it indicates that, in certain contexts, playing games can be more than just fun—it can be training for the brain.

Several scientific studies indicate that playing video games can improve brain function, provided it is done in moderation. The positive impact occurs because many games act as a "training" for the brain, requiring rapid information processing and decision-making under pressure.

The main functions that benefit include:

-Attention and focus: Gamers tend to show greater efficiency in areas of the brain that control sustained and selective attention.

-Cognitive ability and IQ: Research with children has shown that those who play regularly may show gains in IQ tests and better performance in problem-solving tasks.

-Memory and flexibility: Games that require switching between tasks quickly (such as strategy or RPGs) help with cognitive flexibility and working memory.

-Motor coordination: Titles that demand precision improve fine motor skills and spatial perception.

-Visual Skills: Action games can enhance visual perception and the ability to identify details in complex environments.

The Role of Game Type: Not every game stimulates the brain in the same way. See how different genres impact the mind:

-Action/shooter (FPS): Focus on attention, quick reflexes, and sensory perception.

-Strategy (RTS): Excellent for executive functions, planning, and resource management.

-Puzzle: Stimulate logical reasoning and creativity.

Attention to Limits...Despite the benefits, excessive use can cause negative effects, such as addiction and an imbalance of neurotransmitters like dopamine, which can lead to procrastination and irritability. Experts recommend moderate use so that video games act as a complement to cognitive health, and not as an escape from reality.

mundophone