June 13, 2010:  A recent study in Britain, where doctors tested top video game players (there are now competitions, with large cash prizes, and a growing number of professional gamers), found that the gamers had superior coordination and reflexes. But the physical exam also showed that the gamer pros were in terrible physical shape.

The U.S. military has had the same experience, finding that many recruits were quick to learn and use things like UAV and remote gun turret controllers (because of previous video game experience), but were in terrible physical shape. The latter problem was solved in basic training, which was extended for promising recruits who needed more time to get into shape.

Back in the 1990s, the U.S. armed forces first began testing recruits (both enlisted and officer) to see what impact video games, and other types of wargames, were having, and found that some useful skills were being obtained. But as video games became more popular, gamers got out less, and fell apart physically.