Background

There are many benefits gained from keeping your brain stimulated. Many have realized this in recent years, and some such as Nintendo have commercialized on the opportunity releasing items such as Dr Kawashimas Brain Training for the Nintendo DS. However, products such as these can be expensive, and surely their are cheaper alternatives. One such alternative already covered by Darren Beige is Sudoku, but in this article we discuss the possibility of using 'TV Quiz' shows and similar to keep the brain active; reproducing the same effects that commercial products claim through a more visual and cheaper medium.

The workout which the brain gets from on the spot questions and puzzles can help to stop memory decline, and slow the progress of Alzheimer`s disease. These are simple but can be difficult to follow due to budget limitations, personal preferences and lifestyle. This is the advantage that televised trivia shows hold over other brain boosters - they are easily accessible from the comfort of your own home. In addition, many 'TV Trivia' shows nowadays are comedic, or to some extent, entertaining meaning you can improve your mental fitness without being bored to death with consistent maths problems.

Examples

It is hard to recommend favourites, because using TV as a source of brain exercise is used to prevent boredom, and if you are not engaging in a particular program, you might as well do something else. However, we will describe ten of the many varied 'TV Trivia' shows of the moment, if you are stuck for ideas:

• The Weakest Link

The Weakest Link (the UK version is hosted by Anne Robinson) consists of nine contestants answering trivia questions in order to accumulate cash for the group. Contestants considered to the "weakest link" are eliminated by their co-players each round until only two players remain. These 'battle' it out in a one-on-one 'Sudden Death' situation. The winner - who survives all preliminary rounds and beats their opponent in 'Sudden Death' - takes home all the cash the team has gathered during the first eight rounds. When watching this program, try and predict the answers to the questions before the true answer is revealed.

• 1 VS 100

1 VS 100 takes one contestant against 100 other audience members. One player is chosen to play the opposing 100 other people, collectively known as - in most countries, apart from the UK - The Mob. To win the game, the 'One' must answer all questions correctly, until every person in the 100 get at least one question wrong; thus meaning everyone is eliminated. 1 vs 100 is a particularly good brain training show because you can remember at what stage you guessed your answer incorrectly (e.g. 1 vs 45), and see if you improve on the next set of questions.

• QI

QI is a comedic panel quiz. Points are awarded for their humour or interest, but are deducted for answers which repeat common misconceptions, and common (but incorrect) answers. When training your cranium in QI, the best possible way is to think creatively and come up with 'nonsense' answers. Whilst this won't boost your mental knowledge, it will keep the prefrontal cortex pumping and 'entertained'.

• Are You Smarter Than a 10 Year Old?

This is currently a Sky exclusive, so its unlikely that you will see it on Freeview for a while. In the show, an adult contestant is asked a set of eleven questions from varying subjects (e.g. Maths, History, English), taken from school text books aimed at primary school children. Some questions are deemed harder than others (associated via an 'age level'). The contestant chooses each question, but they will eventually ask every question; the player only has control over their order. For each correct answer, they increase their total winnings. This is very good to use a memory 'exercise', as the questions will hopefully spark memories from your childhood.

• Eggheads

Six 'Eggheads' (consisting of six quiz and game show champions) take on six 'Challengers' (the actual contestants). The 'Challengers' attempt to beat the 'Eggheads' in each round. The focus is on mental knowledge, rather than winning ridiculous sums of money, which might suit you better if you prefer 'Countdown' over 'Deal or No Deal' for example.

• Mastermind

Mastermind is difficult. The questions are beyond what most 'humans' know, unless you specialize in the topic of questions. For this reason, it is hard to recommend as a brain stimulating tool, as after the second round, you'd probably be day dreaming about something else. However, if you want a bit of variety, Mastermind is a good option.

• Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? is a primetime and heavily syndicated quiz show that gives people a chance to win up to £1 million for answering a series of multiple-choice questions worth ascending amounts of money. The 'multiple-choice' element of this is very brain-taxing, as it involves mental deduction (or elimination) rather than direct memory work. A good choice for brain exercise.

Television trivia shows are here to stay providing entertainment whilst sneakily boosting brain power and with such a broad range from sports and history to music; there is something for everyone on offer.

Are you a game show maniac? Please tell us your thoughts in the forum.