Perspectives On Design Of Sensor Based Exergames Targeted Towards Older Adults

Serious games are an established field of study, where exergames provide a combination of conducting exercises and playing games. The aim of this work was to identify important features to include in, and design recommendations for exergames using sensor technology. The outcome of this work was two-folded. Firstly, a literature review of design guidelines with respect to older adults as users of exergames resulted in a categorized summary of design guidelines for specific target groups, e.g. people undergoing physical rehabilitation after stroke or injury or users suffering from a chronic disease. Secondly, these guidelines are discussed from various perspectives, based on insights from several years of work in the area. A general design guidelines covered by most of the literature is that exergames should provide a wide range of difficulty levels and be possible to adjust to individual needs. Insights from own work in the area highlight the importance of task and context relevant tools and devices. The result will serve as a starting point for a framework consisting of both general and domain specific design guidelines when designing sensor-based exergames for older adults.