December 19, 2007, 4:03 pm
Filed under:
14-18,
19-39,
30-45,
diagnostic,
environmental,
gaming,
lifestyle,
motivation,
movement,
personal,
research,
science
Computer game translates physical activity into video games
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| Devices/Technology |
| Published: Monday, 17-Sep-2007 |
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Finding a way to motivate the billion people in the world who are overweight to lose excess pounds can be an overwhelming task, but a University of Houston professor is meeting that weighty challenge with a challenge of his own.
Ioannis Pavlidis, a UH computer science professor, and research assistants Yuichi Fujiki and Kostas Kazakos, have developed a computer game that translates physical activity into video games, such as races and logic puzzles. Dubbed Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT-o) games, they can be played on any hand-held personal digital assistant (PDA) with users wearing a lightweight, wearable sensor that detects movement like running, walking, bending over or even foot tapping.
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What is Play?
All children play. From the infant squealing in delight during a game of peek-a-boo to the older child playing a game of basketball, children of all ages play and they play in all kinds of ways.
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Older Adults report…
Barriers to Being Physically Active for the Older Adult
We all face barriers to physical activity – time constraints, energy levels, boredom and so on. Seniors face even more barriers, like…
- Difficulty getting to facilities and programs
- A lack of interest in physical exertion and getting hot and sweaty
- Poorly designed neighbourhoods, or neighbourhoods that are unsafe because of crime or traffic congestion that make it difficult to even just get out and walk
- Trouble finding specialized programs
- Difficulty finding time for yourself because you’re busy caring for others
- Feeling you’re unsteady on your feet
- Stiffness, arthritis, osteoporosis or other medical conditions
- A previous poor experience or injury.
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Urban planning and activity…
By David Helwig
SooToday.com
Sunday, November 05, 2006
NEWS RELEASES
SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY
HEALTH BEHAVIOR NEWS SERVICE
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New Saint Louis University research paints portrait of how active communities look
ST. LOUIS – A new comprehensive study by Saint Louis University researchers that flags the top 10 features of activity-friendly communities is a blueprint for improving public health, the author of the research says.
“We wrote the book on identifying the range of different influences that gets people engaging in physical activity not just for recreation but as part of their everyday life activities,” says Laura Brennan Ramirez, Ph.D., adjunct assistant professor of community health at Saint Louis University School of Public Health.
“We outlined what needs to happen and what is most feasible. It’s going to require a commitment toward health and social wellbeing.”
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From the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention…
Overcoming Barriers to Physical Activity
“If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn’t lead anywhere.” —Anonymous
Given the health benefits of regular physical activity, we might have to ask why two out of three (60%) Americans are not active at recommended levels. There are barriers that keep Americans from being, or becoming, regularly physically active. Understanding common barriers to physical activity and creating strategies to overcome them may help you make physical activity part of your daily life.
