Enhancing Brain Health Through Juggling, Myth or Reality?
About a week ago, I had an intriguing conversation with Matt, a physiotherapy student currently on his Neurophysiotherapy Clinical Placement with me. During our discussion, I recounted a story about a video I came across years ago on YouTube. The video suggested that to secure a high-level position at Microsoft, one had to know how to juggle. In today’s era of misinformation, this claim could easily be a myth. (If you come across this video or news, please let me know.)
This sparked my curiosity about the potential cognitive benefits of exercises like juggling.
The Microsoft Juggling Myth
I asked Matt to research any links between juggling, learning abilities, intelligence, and the rumored Microsoft employment requirement. His response? "Couldn't find anything on the Microsoft juggling phenomenon." So, I decided to investigate further myself.
First things first, is there any truth to the claim about Microsoft’s juggling requirement?
I reached out with the following message:
"Hi. My name is Pawel Ciecierski. I am a neuro-physiotherapist. I write a blog about cognitive neuroscience and neurophysiotherapy. Years ago, I came across news that potential employees were asked during interviews to juggle a ball. I cannot find this information and would like to confirm it with you. I would greatly appreciate your reply at any time. I tried using New Bing, but it was not helpful at all. I strongly believe that the real Bill Gates is still a more trustworthy and irreplaceable source of information. Many thanks."
According to various internet sources, the answer is no. Ball juggling is not a standard part of Microsoft interviews. While tech companies, including Microsoft, are known for their unique "brainteaser" questions, these are meant to evaluate problem-solving and creative thinking abilities, not circus skills.
The Cognitive Benefits of Juggling
While the Microsoft juggling claim might be a myth, the cognitive benefits of juggling are very real. Here’s what science has to say:
- Increased Grey Matter: A study published in *Nature* found that individuals who learned to juggle over three months showed an increase in grey matter in brain areas related to processing and storing complex visual information.
- Improved Hand-Eye Coordination: Juggling requires precise timing and coordination between the hands and eyes. With practice, this coordination can improve, which might benefit other activities requiring hand-eye coordination.
- Enhanced Focus and Concentration: To juggle successfully, one must maintain a keen focus and concentration on the task at hand. This practice can enhance general attention skills and concentration.
- Problem-Solving and Pattern Recognition: Juggling patterns and tricks often require understanding sequences and predicting trajectories, enhancing problem-solving skills and pattern recognition.
- Bilateral Coordination: Juggling exercises both the left and right sides of the body, improving bilateral coordination (the ability to use both sides of the body simultaneously).
- Stress Reduction: Like many other physical activities, juggling can be meditative and reduce stress. Engaging in a focused activity can lead to a state of "flow," where one is fully immersed in an activity, leading to energized focus and enjoyment.
- Neuroplasticity: Juggling is a complex skill that can stimulate the brain’s ability to form new neural connections. This adaptability, known as neuroplasticity, is essential for learning new skills and adapting to new situations.
- Improved Peripheral Vision: Regular juggling can enhance peripheral vision, as jugglers need to be aware of multiple objects in their peripheral view.
An Unexpected Discovery
While researching, I found an amusing video on YouTube. It appears these benefits have been recognized at Ohio State University Medical School, where some students take the term "juggling" quite literally. According to the video, Dr. Craig Stevens, a professor of pharmacology, believes it's one of the most brain-centric exercises. In his opinion, "Everyone should juggle. I agree 100 percent."
Many juggling enthusiasts are students. For beginners, Dr. Stevens recommends starting with one ball, emphasizing that the key lies in the throw, rather than the catch. Some students have even ventured into hat juggling. As these medical students continue to hone their juggling skills, managing a busy patient schedule in the future might seem like a breeze.
Whether as a tool for enhancing focus, a stress reliever, or just a fun pastime, juggling has found its place among tech enthusiasts and medical students alike. Who knew that keeping balls in the air could offer so many benefits?
For those interested in delving deeper into the cognitive aspects of juggling and other exercises, I highly recommend the book *Cognitive Neuroscience: The Biology of the Mind* by Gazzaniga, Ivry, and Mangun. It's not an easy read but is incredibly informative and essential for students and professionals working with neurological patients.
References
1. Draganski, B., Gaser, C., Busch, V., Schuierer, G., Bogdahn, U., & May, A. (2004). Neuroplasticity: Changes in grey matter induced by training. *Nature*, 427(6972), 311-312.
2. Kim, H., Kim, Y. L., & Lee, S. M. (2015). Effects of therapeutic climbing activities wearing a weighted vest on a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a case study. *Journal of Physical Therapy Science*, 27(12), 3837-3839.
3. Verneau, M., van der Kamp, J., Savelsbergh, G. J., & de Looze, M. P. (2014). Age and time effects on implicit and explicit learning. *Experimental Aging Research*, 40(4), 477-511.
4. Klimesch, W. (1996). Memory processes, brain oscillations and EEG synchronization. *International Journal of Psychophysiology*, 24(1-2), 61-100.
You know what’s on my shopping list… 🤣🤣Thanks for a fab read. I think ballons do something too- a slower pace to begin with 🤔🤔