As teen star Luke Littler puts the sport in the news, could playing darts make you smarter?

Luke Littler’s impressive run at the PDC World Darts Championship has stirred up some fresh buzz around the sport.

The 16-year-old became the youngest person ever to reach the final in the iconic contest – and anyone who’s been watching will know there’s a lot of skill involved.

Although impeccably controlled aim may be the key component to winning, darts is all about numbers. Players start with a score of 501 and have to try and get down to zero the quickest, by getting high numbers on the board – but they must end precisely on zero with a double, so there’s a lot of maths and mental gymnastics involved.

“Playing darts can have profound effects on the brain, providing a dynamic mental workout that sharpens cognitive skills, nurtures neuroconnectivity and provides a holistic approach to brain health,” says Dr Steve Allder, consultant neurologist at Re:Cognition Health.

Here’s a closer look…

Stimulation and concentration

“The precision, focus and hand-eye coordination can activate various regions of the brain, enhancing cognitive function. As players aim for the bullseye, the brain is in constant motion whilst it calculates distances, assesses angles and makes split-second decisions,” says Allder.

“This activity stimulates the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for executive functions such as planning, problem-solving and decision-making. The repetitive nature of throwing darts also refines motor skills and reinforces neural pathways that control muscle movements. The increased levels of concentration and attention required in darts impacts the brain’s ability to filter information and can enhance cognitive performance.”

Flow state 

“Playing darts requires a person to really focus their attention. This can have a number of benefits for your mental health and wellbeing,” says Dr Sandi Mann, senior psychology lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).

“Playing darts gives us something known as ‘psychological flow’, which is a state of mind in which we are completely engaged in an activity. When we focus our mind on an activity such as darts, it gives us a respite from any troubles or worries that might otherwise preoccupy our mind. Even if playing darts only pushes away other thoughts temporarily, these moments of respite are incredibly important,” Mann adds.

Social boost

The social aspect is very beneficial, says Allder. “Interacting with opponents, and engaging in friendly competition contributes to improved social cognition, emotional regulation, and stress reduction.”

After all, there’s lots of evidence linking social connections with better health as we age. So, even if you’re just playing for fun in your local with some mates, it’s a win-win.