Our brain, like any other muscle, needs training. We continue to talk about artificial intelligence and how to make it performant the algorithm. But don't we want to take care of our neurons? Today there are suitable tools for them too which consist of a specification mental gymnastics. Keeping mental activities ready and efficient is a good way to face the greatest human competitor of the new times: artificial intelligence.
So here we are second episode of the new column a “winning brain”, the result of the collaboration of first online with the professor Giuseppe Alfredo Iannoccari, neuropsychologist, professor at the State University of Milan and president of Assomensana, the association for the development and enhancement of mental activities. Every Sunday an exercise is proposed on FIRSTonline mental gymnastics which stimulates a different skill. There first episode , dedicated to the stimulation of language, ability to organize information and mental flexibility, saw numerous participants and a high level of satisfaction.
Il new exercise will aim to stimulate a new mental ability and we will aim to improve language, verbal memory e processing speed.
The basic rules
For each exercise you will be shown:
- which cognitive functions it stimulates
- what purpose does it serve in everyday life
- delivery to carry out the exercise
- how long should the execution time be?
- how to calculate the score
- the finish line for an optimal score
- how to make it more empowering
- which variations to adopt to continue doing so
Mental gymnastics exercise n.2: the alphabetical semantic bolt
Here the second exercise of mental gymnastics. “The new exercise that we propose this week for the column 'The winning brain' develops and strengthens well three cognitive skills: language, verbal memory and processing speed” says Professor Iannoccari. “These skills are especially important when we need to organize information and remember it in a precise order, quickly and quickly.”
Delivery: Keep a stopwatch and a notepad (cataceous or digital) handy. Write and memorize one sequence of 21 words, one for each letter of the alphabet, linked together by a logical connection, starting from the word “Action” (Example: share – BTP – credit, etc.). Please note: Use the Italian alphabet: the letters k, j, x, y, w are excluded.
Execution time: complete the task in 5 minutes
Score: each correctly connected word is worth 2 points (total 42). If you remember the sequence by heart without errors, another 2 points per word are added (total 42). If you repeat the sequence in less than 60 seconds, you get the bonus of 16 points, for a total of = 100 points
Traguardo: Score at least 84 points in a 120-second session.
Strengthening: repeat the exercise speeding up the execution times without errors.
variants
To make the exercise more exciting and challenging you can change the word initial and then the chain of connected words. Example: “training”, “love”, etc.
Regarding the training of cognitive activities and ways to improve their performance, in every sector and at every age, he has written some books. Here are some of them.
- 1. The 10 pillars for an efficient brain: how to improve mental skills (Franco Angeli);
- 2. Strategic-Mind: Instructions and practical exercises for a winning brain at all ages (Il Sole 24 Ore);
- 3. Cognitive decline: intervene with neuropsychological stimulation exercises (Franco Angeli).
To find out more write to FIRST online
