In the Golden Ages of arcade gaming, playing while standing was
extremely common. We’re sure you have memories of standing in front of your
favorite arcade games for hours at a time, or at least until you ran out of
quarters. Looking back, playing arcade games while standing never received the
credit it deserved for keeping kids active, much more so than when playing PC
or console games. Many companies interested in encouraging healthy lifestyles are
now offering standing desks to their employees, with many of them enjoying the
change. Since this trend has exploded in recent years, we decided to outline
some of the benefits of gaming while standing to promote healthy gaming habits
in arcade fans young and old.
Promotes
Healthy Living
Scientists have long studied the effects of sitting vsstanding dating back to as far as the 1950s. Those who spend their work
day sitting were at a much higher risk of heart attacks and heart failure than
those who had jobs that kept them on their feet. Having a sedentary job
combined with a lack of exercise increased the risk of developing type 2
diabetes, as well as a host of other issues related to the heart, sugar levels
in the blood, obesity, and the metabolism. A lack of physical activity has
shown to increase the risks for certain types of cancers, as well.
Makes
Gaming More Interactive
We all remember standing around an arcade machine watching our
friends go head-to-head or trying to break a high score. You’re more likely to
bob and weave when gaming while standing and be more animated with your friends
in victory, as well as in defeat. The high fives and chest bumps don’t happen
when you’re sitting down and you’re not getting any hugs laying on the couch.
Standing naturally lends to a more communicative type of gaming and brings
people together in a more interactive way.
Decreased
Neck & Back Pain
It can be difficult to determine why your neck and back may be
hurting. But, it’s a good chance that it is all thanks to sitting down for
extended periods of time. When we think we are sitting comfortably, we are most
likely hunched over or sitting in a position that does not promote proper
posture. Sitting in these positions causes muscles to tighten and the heart
rate to slow to a crawl. This slows the transfer of oxygen throughout the body,
which is why many of those who live sedentary lives feel as if they have sore
muscles and very little energy. Standing while gaming provides an opportunity
for blood to flow more easily through the body preventing muscles from cramping
over extended periods of time.
Game
Longer & Better
Believe it or not, you can game longer and better if you play
while standing. Oxygen levels to the brain decrease when you’re relaxed or in a
seated position for long periods which slows your reaction time and mental
acuity. Gaming while standing keeps your torso upright and naturally taking in
more oxygen with each breathe. Your high scores and kill rates will definitely thank
you!
Gaming while standing clearly has plenty of benefits. Every
gamer should play some of the time while standing to give themselves a chance
to breathe deep and enjoy games as they were originally intended. It’s more fun
and will improve your gaming experiences in every way!
What are your best tips or favorite ways to game? Share your
thoughts in the comments below!
