A Platform Based on Personalized Exergames and Natural User Interfaces to Promote Remote Physical Activity and Improve Healthy Aging in Elderly People

Cristian Gómez-Portes, David Vallejo, Ana-Isabel Corregidor-Sánchez, Marta Rodríguez-Hernández, José L. Martín-Conty, Santiago Schez-Sobrino and Begoña Polonio-López
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Cristian Gómez-Portes: Faculty of Computer Science, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Paseo de la Universidad 4, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
David Vallejo: Faculty of Computer Science, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Paseo de la Universidad 4, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
Ana-Isabel Corregidor-Sánchez: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Av. Real Fábrica de Sedas, s/n, 45600 Talavera de la Reina, Spain
Marta Rodríguez-Hernández: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Av. Real Fábrica de Sedas, s/n, 45600 Talavera de la Reina, Spain
José L. Martín-Conty: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Av. Real Fábrica de Sedas, s/n, 45600 Talavera de la Reina, Spain
Santiago Schez-Sobrino: Faculty of Computer Science, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Paseo de la Universidad 4, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
Begoña Polonio-López: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Av. Real Fábrica de Sedas, s/n, 45600 Talavera de la Reina, Spain

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 14, 1-17

Abstract: In recent years, there has been a significant growth in the number of research works focused on improving the lifestyle and health of elderly people by means of technology. Telerehabilitation and the promotion of physical activity at home have been two of the fields that have attracted more attention, especially currently due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, elderly people are sometimes reluctant to use technology at home, mainly due to fear of technology and lack of familiarity. In this context, this article presents a low-cost platform that relies on exergames and natural user interfaces to promote physical activity at home and improve the quality of life in elderly people. The underlying system is easy to use and accessible, offering a number of interaction mechanisms that guide users through the execution of routines and exercises. A relevant feature of the proposal is the ability to customize the exergames, making it possible for the therapist to adapt them according to the user’s needs. Motivation is also addressed within the developed platform to maintain the user’s engagement level as time passes by. An empirical experiment is conducted to measure the usability and motivational aspects of the proposal, which was evaluated by 17 users between 62 and 89 years of age. The obtained results showed that the proposal was well received, considering that most of the users were not experienced at all with exergame-based systems.

Keywords: healthy aging; remote physical activity; telerehabilitation; personalized exergames; natural user interfaces (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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