Exergame for seniors trains balance

PhD student Mike van Diest (SPRINT/UMCG research centre/INCAS³) has developed a game to help seniors improve their balance at home. Improved balance can prevent falls. While playing the game, seniors make skating movements in front of their TV. A camera registers these movements and shows them in a virtual cross-country skating trip on the TV screen. The game trains both stamina and coordination.

After practising for half an hour three times a week over six weeks, the balance of some seniors had indeed improved. The seniors who participated were very enthusiastic. Some of them were so keen that they practised more than they were asked to.   The game is now being further developed and may be brought to market.

• Contact: via the UMCG Press Office, tel. 050 361 2200
• Project leader: Dr Claudine Lamoth
• More information on the exergame project

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