The benefits of Mind or Muscle to seniors was not by design. It was designed as a way to get middle and high school aged students to explore their personal strengths while having a good time in a positive environment. So many of them seemed frozen by fear of failure before they'd had a chance to try anything. Plus, it seemed like a fun competitive way to spend time together. I had also met so many bored students who made horrible choices.

I wanted to draw students in with a computer interface, positive social interaction and a competitive environment. I wanted all students to have a chance at success using their strongest abilities. I wanted them to get practice using logic to increase their chances of success. Then, I wanted them to turn off the computer and go out and try new things.

Strangely, I was stuck watching a PBS special at church, which was not spiritual. At first my attitude was 'What gives?'. Then, as we watched I became fascinated. The special spelled out the changes to the brain as we age and how to fight them in order to live more fully into our older years. This could really help many people in our church...Great! Yet the real surprise was the broad conclusions at the end of the series. These included:

1. Increased physical activity slows the onset of Alzheimer's symptoms.

2. Trying novel physical and mental activities increases brain plasticity slowing the onset of Alzheimer's symptoms.

Both of these were already built into Mind or Muscle. The problem was the physical competitions could be exteremly intense for many seniors--so it would not work. Enter the Nintendo Wii. Now the game could be designed for more limited physical activity and played effectively by seniors. The Mind or Muscle game system could help more people then ever! Thank you Pastor Ted for making me watch that PBS special at Church.