The Era of Brain Training Through Games - Could It Be More Effective Than Brain Training Exercises? Reasons Why Yoga, Tai Chi, and Pokémon GO Benefit "Memory"

"Brain training just doesn't stick with me"—for those people, there's a "superior brain maintenance" method you can start today.
It's not Sudoku or Wordle, but moving your body.

The Independent (published on December 12, 2025) presents a message based on a large-scale review of studies worldwide: "Even moderate exercise can improve memory and concentration." Moreover, the benefits are not limited to young people. They extend to children, the elderly, and even those with clinical challenges, which is the core of this article. The Independent

"Exercise makes you smarter" is becoming more about "data" than just motivation.

At the heart of the article is an umbrella review (a method that integrates multiple systematic reviews) summarizing the relationship between exercise and cognitive function. The data covers over 2,700 trials and more than 250,000 participants, showing that exercise can improve

• overall cognition (thinking ability)

• memory

• executive functions (attention, planning, switching, impulse control, etc.)

in three areas, with small to moderate improvements suggested. The Independent

Particularly in the abstract of the research paper (BJSM), the effect sizes (SMD) are organized as
overall cognition 0.42 / memory 0.26 / executive function 0.24. These numbers might seem modest at first glance. However, everyday "oops" moments and "fluctuations in concentration" can feel different with these small accumulative differences. PubMed

Some people notice changes in as little as "12 weeks"

What stands out in this article is not "if you do it, you'll change someday," but that the brain's response is relatively quick. Many people saw improvements about 12 weeks after starting an exercise routine. The Independent

For those who are "busy and worried about consistency," this is good news. You can start as a "3-month experiment."

"Harder isn't always better": Situations where low to moderate intensity wins

Another point the article emphasizes is that
exercise intensity doesn't necessarily have to be high to benefit the brain. In fact, the analysis suggests a tendency for low to moderate intensity to have greater effects. The Independent

Here are three representative examples of "brain-beneficial exercises" mentioned:

• Yoga

• Tai Chi

• Exergames (video games that involve physical movement, like Pokémon GO)

The article particularly highlights mindful exercises like yoga and Tai Chi, as well as activities like exergames that simultaneously engage "body + decision-making + memory," as promising for cognitive benefits. The Independent

Why does "gentle exercise" benefit memory?—The key lies in "how the brain is used."

Here's how the article explains it in everyday language.

• Tai Chi: Remembering movements, not making mistakes in order, and maintaining breathing and posture.
  → It fully engages not just the body, but also attention, working memory, and bodily awareness. The Independent

• Exergames: Responding to on-screen cues, making choices, and switching quickly.
  → It's essentially "brain training while moving." The Independent

As for aerobic exercises (walking, cycling, etc.), the article mentions the hippocampus (a part involved in memory and learning). It introduces a study where "the hippocampus of elderly people increased by about 2% with a year of aerobic exercise, reversing age-related shrinkage by 1-2 years." The Independent

How much should you do?—The guideline is "150 minutes a week"

The article presents the most straightforward goal as
**150 minutes a week (about 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week)**. The Independent

However, it's important to note that the research message is not "there's no point if you can't do 150 minutes."Even light exercise has benefits. The abstract of the paper also clearly states "benefits even at light intensity." PubMed

Why is this topic "socially" important now?

Towards the end, the article connects not only to personal lifestyle improvements but also to the context of "public health."
The world is aging rapidly, and the WHO indicates that by 2030, "1 in 6 people worldwide will be over 60". World Health Organization

On the other hand, physical inactivity is also severe, with the WHO announcing in 2022 that about 31% of adults (approximately 1.8 billion people) do not meet the recommended amount of exercise. World Health Organization

In other words, "a society with increasing cognitive decline" also has "more people who are not active."
Therefore, the insight that **"even non-strenuous exercise benefits the brain"** becomes a very practical prescription.

Social media reactions: Empathy, hope, and some "criticism"

This topic has divided reactions on social media (especially in science communities on Reddit). There are three main patterns.

1) "I can feel it" group: Sharing feelings of mood and rejuvenation

In the r/science thread, many people share their immediate experiences after starting exercise. For example, there's a post saying, "After going to the gym five times a week for a month, I feel like I've rejuvenated by ten years and my mood has improved." Reddit
Even if the research numbers seem small, many people feel that it "works" in their daily lives.

2) "Game enthusiasts, rejoice" group: Dreaming big with exergames

In another thread, there's a high enthusiasm for promoting exergames as the "king of brain-beneficial exercises." The discussion about Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) gets lively, with comments like "I need to pull out the pad." Reddit

Exergames are also exemplified in the article (like Pokémon GO), and the BMJ's explanation emphasizes them as "unexpected winners," making them a buzzworthy point on social media. The Independent

3) "Be cautious of exaggeration" group: Critiques on small effects and research methods

Meanwhile, in skeptical communities, there are sharp reactions.

In the Science for ME thread, criticisms like "Meta of meta (review of reviews) is just 'polishing what's already polished'" and "The effects are small, yet the conclusions are too strong" appear, with a flow questioning whether the effectiveness of exergames is more about "cognitive load" than "physicality." Science for ME

This isn't about denying the research but rather a healthy check against headlines that make it sound magical.

So how should we use this information?

The smartest way to read this article is not "exercise is a cure-all, so do it," but rather,

• choose an exercise you can continue (for your brain)

• add elements of "thinking while moving" (for your brain)

• try it for just 12 weeks (for your brain)

I think.

For example, this kind of plan is realistic.

• Weekdays: 15-20 minutes of brisk walking + light stretching

• Twice a week: Yoga videos (short ones are fine)

• Weekends: Pokémon GO walks, Wii Sports, dance games, etc., as "play slots"

Suggestions like "Wii Sports