When we try to juggle multiple pieces of information at once, our brains use a system called working memory. Some people hope that simple memory games can sharpen this skill. However, research shows that the specific type of exercise matters a great deal for how much your brain actually improves.
Researchers looked at data from over 3,000 people to see how different training methods worked. They found that training the brain to "update" information—which involves managing new data while holding onto old information—helped people perform better on other types of memory tasks. In contrast, training on "span" tasks, which involve holding a set amount of information, did not show any clear improvement for other tasks.
This difference was even more noticeable in younger people and when using verbal information. While the results show that updating training is a more effective way to build mental flexibility, the evidence comes from a large collection of studies rather than a single trial. Talk to your doctor or a specialist to see how these findings might apply to your specific goals.
