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Design of Somatosensory Interactive Balance Training Exergame for the Elderly Based on Tai Chi

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Human Aspects of IT for the Aged Population. Technology in Everyday Living (HCII 2022)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNCS,volume 13331))

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Abstract

Systematic research proves that long-term scientific balance training is beneficial to improve the balance ability of the elderly and reduce falls. However, due to the lack of professional teaching guidance, boring training process lacking feedback, lack of companions, laziness and other problems, it is difficult for the elderly to obtain scientific and systematic balance training to improve their balance ability. Based on the current pain points in the process of balance training for the elderly, this study designs an interactive balance training based on Tai Chi exercise for the elderly, called “Balance Challenge”, in which the user will receive scientific and systematic guidance instruction to train the stability of static and dynamic posture control under low center of gravity and to improve the balance ability of the elderly. The elderly will be allowed to complete scientific training in a game-based way. A randomized controlled experiment was conducted among 18 elderly people (mean age 63 ± 2.9 years, 10 females) living in the community. The experimental group performed balance training using balance training at a prescribed exercise frequency, while the control group completed a physical exercise routine at the same time. During the 4-week study period, participants are advised to take 20-min unsupervised exercise at home at least three times a week. The outcome measures were gait speed, standing balance, five-time sit-to-stand, timed up and go performance, and neuropsychological function (attention: Letter–digit test and Stroop tests) evaluated at baseline, 2 weeks, and experiment end (4 weeks). 18 participants completed the experiment and reassessment, and the experimental group completed an average of 9.7 20-min sessions with no adverse events reported. Throughout the trial period, participants in the experimental group showed significant improvements in gait speed (25%), standing balance (6%), five-time sit-to-stand (21%) and timed up and go performance (12%) (all P < 0.05). Letter–digit test (13%) and Stroop test (12%) showed no significant improvement. Compared with the control group, the performance of the experimental group in gait speed, standing balance, five-time sit-to-stand, timed up and go performance was significantly improved (all P < 0.05), but the improvement of Letter–digit test (10%) and Stroop test (7%) was not obvious.This study found that Balance Training is scientific and feasible for the elderly, and leads to significant improvement in gait, standing balance, and acting ability, which can reduce the risk of a fall injury. The exercise compliance of the elderly is also better. It is hoped that the somatosensory interactive balance training exergame based on Tai Chi for the elderly can be included in the exercise plan aimed at improving the balance ability of the elderly.

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Acknowledgement

The research is supported by National Social Science Fund (Grant No. 18BRK009).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, 200240, China

    Yahui Zhang, Ting Han, Yi Ding & Shuyu Zhao

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  1. Yahui Zhang
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Correspondence to Ting Han .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Tsinghua University, Beijing, China

    Qin Gao

  2. Chongqing University, Chongqing, China

    Jia Zhou

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Zhang, Y., Han, T., Ding, Y., Zhao, S. (2022). Design of Somatosensory Interactive Balance Training Exergame for the Elderly Based on Tai Chi. In: Gao, Q., Zhou, J. (eds) Human Aspects of IT for the Aged Population. Technology in Everyday Living. HCII 2022. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 13331. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-05654-3_21

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-05654-3_21

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