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Development and Evaluation of a Motion-Based Exercise Game for Balance Improvement

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Information and Communication Technologies for Ageing Well and e-Health (ICT4AWE 2019)

Part of the book series: Communications in Computer and Information Science ((CCIS,volume 1219))

Abstract

Over the past years many systems involving exercising through games (exergaming) have been developed by leveraging on new technologies to provide an alternative way for improving physical condition and balance control. Such systems are widely used for improving the physical condition of healthy persons and for rehabilitation. For seniors, exergames provide a new and enjoyable way for increasing physical activity and for improving balance condition and muscle strength to reduce fall risks. However, a matter arising is whether such systems are well designed to suit seniors. In this work the development and evaluation of a new exergame is presented. The development process followed a human centered design approach involving the relevant stakeholders to create an effective system for balance training. The implementation was based on the Microsoft Kinect sensor for motion recognition and the Unity graphics engine for creating a realistic three-dimensional open world. The influence of user diversity on gesture training and recognition is discussed and the proper sample size is determined in order to achieve a high confidence level in gestures recognition. Results of a user evaluation study are reported both on balance improvement and on system usability, by using proper measurement instruments. The results indicate a positive acceptance of the technology and the possibility for balance improvement leading to healthier seniors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Information and Communication Systems Engineering Department, University of the Aegean, Samos, Greece

    Michalis Chartomatsidis & Christos Goumopoulos

Authors
  1. Michalis Chartomatsidis
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  2. Christos Goumopoulos
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Correspondence to Christos Goumopoulos .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Human-Computer Interaction Center, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

    Martina Ziefle

  2. Institute of Business Informatics, Wrocław University of Economics, Wrocław, Poland

    Leszek A. Maciaszek

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Chartomatsidis, M., Goumopoulos, C. (2020). Development and Evaluation of a Motion-Based Exercise Game for Balance Improvement. In: Ziefle, M., Maciaszek, L. (eds) Information and Communication Technologies for Ageing Well and e-Health. ICT4AWE 2019. Communications in Computer and Information Science, vol 1219. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-52677-1_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-52677-1_7

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-52676-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-52677-1

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