تدريب و تنشيط الدماغ

Welcome to BBC Xtra English. Today Cath and Louay are talking about computer games designed to train the brain.

We all know it is important to give our bodies a workout, but computer games companies are now encouraging us to train our brains as well.

There are many computer games on the market with activities such as simple maths problems, brain teasers, and memory tests.

A top British scientist, who is launching her own line of computer games, says they can improve your reaction time and short term memory. She also says they can help keep the brain young and stop the mental decline associated with ageing.

But why have so many games suddenly appeared on the market?

One theory is that because people are living longer, mental decline is more common in society.

Others say it's just the computer games industry trying to find games that older people will like to play, and therefore buy.

And although computer games are fun, some think traditional forms of mental workout are just as good or better, such as crossword puzzles, sudoku or even physical exercise.

Here's a brain teaser for you to try. Which number should fill the gap in this sequence?

1, 2, 6, 21, ?, 445

The answer is at the bottom of the page. الاجابة فى أسفل الصفحة

Do you think using computer games is a good way to train the brain?

هل تعتقد ان استخدام العاب الكمبيوتر وسيلة جيدة لتدريب الدماغ؟

أنقر هنا للاستماع للكلمات

computer games
ألعاب كمبيوتر

train the brain
تدريب الدماغ

workout
التدريب و التمرين

maths problems
معضلات رقمية و رياضية - مشكلات حسابية

brain teasers
حزورة صغيرة للدماغ - اختبار ذكاء صغير للدماغ

memory tests
اختبارات للذاكرة

improve your reaction time
تحسين سرعة رد الفعل

short term memory
ذاكرة قصيرة المدى

mental decline
تراجع فعالية الدماغ بسبب التقدم فى العمر كالاصابة بالخرف مثلا

computer games industry
صناعة العاب الكمبيوتر

crossword puzzles
الكلمات المتقاطعة

sudoku
لعبة تشبه الكلمات المتقاطعة و لكن يتم فيها استخدام الارقام بدلا عن الاحرف

شروط وبنود الاستخدام

The answer to the brain teaser is 88.

This is how to work it out:

(1 x 1) +1 = 2
(2 x 2) + 2 = 6
(6 x 3) + 3 = 21
(21 x 4) + 4 = 88
(88 x 5) + 5 = 445

And here are some of your comments on whether computer games are a good way to train the brain:

Hussain, Saudi Arabia
Absolutely yes this games good for brain I will try it.

Kasim, Baghdad, Iraq
i think we using computer game is a good way to train brain us because using computer game is give it activities and i think can help keep the brain young and stop the mental decline associated with ageing

Ahmed Fouad, Cairo, Egypt
i think use computer games are used for fun, entertainment and empty space. anyone want train his brain he ought to do exercises such as play football and other sports .thanks bbc