Violent video games affect biological systems

[wraggster]

Heres some press release news:

Violent video games affect biological systems

In the study boys (12-15) were asked to play two different video games at home in the evening. The boys’ heart rate was registered, among other parameters. It turned out that the heart rate variability was affected to a higher degree when the boys were playing games focusing on violence compared with games without violent features. Differences in heart rate variability were registered both while the boys were playing the games and when they were sleeping that night. The boys themselves did not feel that they had slept poorly after having played violent games.

The results show that the autonomous nerve system, and thereby central physiological systems in the body, can be affected when you play violent games without your being aware of it. It is too early to draw conclusions about what the long-term significance of this sort of influence might be. What is important about this study is that the researchers have found a way, on the one hand, to study what happens physiologically when you play video or computer games and, on the other hand, to discern the effects of various types of games.

It is hoped that it will be possible to use the method to enhance our knowledge of what mechanisms could lie behind the association that has previously been suggested between violent games and aggressive behavior.

The researchers, from Stockholm University, Uppsala University and Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, also hope the method can be used to study how individuals are affected by playing often and for long periods, which can take the form of so-called game addiction.

An article on this research was recently published electronically in the scientific journal Acta Paediatrica.

This research on the effects of video games is funded by the Swedish Council for Working Life and Social Research (FAS) and the Oscar and Maria Ekman Philanthropic Fund.

[NoQuarter]

Honestly my heart rate goes WAY up when I play Tekken online.

[Mc_Logical]

So it`s possible to have a heart attack or become psychotic? lol interesting read though

[Eyedunno]

I'd like to see the actual study, but I'm very skeptical. I suspect it has more to do with the type of action in the game rather than whether or not there's violence in it. Knowing the"discipline" of psychology, I wouldn't be shocked if they were comparing FPSes to Animal Crossing and concluding that it's the VIOLENCE that affects these parameters.

[Gene]

It makes sense to me. however couldn't the same be said about almost any game? most likely what is going on is when you play the "violent" video game you are held in suspense and your body naturally releases both endorphins and adrenaline. Therefore your heart rate rises.

This happens anytime you are nervous or "in suspense". Theoretically if you are playing a game about a scavenger hunt you could get the same, or at least similar effects.

My opinion is this is a great start for a study but it is far from conclusive. First they need to define how the game is classified as "violent"as well as "nonviolent", and it would be a good idea for the testing to include some other genres of video games to show the results accurately and have variety in the results to show clear connections.

This study is hardy conclusive, but I guess thats just my opinion.

[R4mbo]

HMMMM... they should compare the heart rate of someone which plays Wii-Sports with someone which plays Doom 1... I think its just the "Action" in a game which makes the hearth-rate up! And thats normal isnt it?

[lipnox88]

very flawed 1 sided research to make gaming look bad.

[watupgroupie]

My heart rate goes up a little when playing more intense games which are usually "violent", I doubt it has any affects on me though... I get really high heart rate when playing games online and wupping ass.