The Philippine Star

Brain exercise through the web

-

Mental fitness is just as important as physical health. Exercising your brain can help you achieve a sharper and healthier mind.

One sure way to improve your brainpower is through brainHQ, a convenient, interactiv­e, and easyto-use online brain training program, available via web browser and iOS app versions.

brainHQ is built by Posit Science, developers of the brain training software that improves cognitive performanc­e. This program features sets of online exercises for sharpening and improving various brain processes and functions.

Created by Dr. Michael Merzenich, a world renowned American neuroscien­tist, in collaborat­ion with several neuroscien­tists, brainHQ had been proven to improve thinking and mood as well as sharpen memory, attention, navigation skills, balance, and other activities of daily living. Merzenich and Dr. Patricio Reyes, a US-based Filipino-American neurologis­t-neuropatho­logist, have been collaborat­ing on the efficacy of brainHQ in head trauma and other neurologic disorders. Reyes introduced brainHQ at the United Nations Concussion Conference a year and a half ago and shortly after presented it to the Philippine community.

Contrary to earlier beliefs that the human brain is hardwired and fixed at about age five, latest studies show that the brain has the ability to re-wire and create new neurons in response to new activities and mental experience­s. This is scientific­ally referred to as neuroplast­icity.

Moreover, a large-scale study called the Active Cognitive Training for Independen­t and Vital Elderly (ACTIVE Trial) showed that brain training drives cognitive benefits that last for 10 years. This further supports and confirms that right training causes significan­t improvemen­ts in the brain.

brain HQ, which is recommende­d to be used at least 90 minutes a week or 15-20 minutes a day, functions by targeting individual­s not only with disabled brain systems, but also for those who wish to improve and enjoy a more healthy state of mind.

A full suite of exercises is categorize­d to improve on memory, attention, intelligen­ce, brain speed, people skills, and navigation. As your performanc­e improves, the exercises become more challengin­g.

Discoverin­g brain HQ: Road to Greater Minds is a nationwide roadshow campaign for everyone who would like to learn more about the importance of brain fitness.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Philippines