Development of a Hardware/Software System for Proprioception Exergaming

Physical equilibrium and balance are key factors for human activities. Training for improving proprioception employ new, effective methodologies and tools. However, such tools are sometimes boring and difficult to use properly in achieving the given training goals. Exergaming, the combination of physical exercise and video-gaming using smart tools, may help to overcome these issues by offering enjoyment and motivation. However, the literature lacks papers investigating how to integrate tools for proprioception training into a serious game combining effectiveness and enjoyment. In this paper, we focus on the Balance Board (BB), a device used in gyms and in several health-related applications, and present an exergaming system for proprioception training. The system includes a BB, which was instrumented to act as a motion controller for an ad-hoc developed, simple 3D video game. The system aims to provide enjoyable training, boosting equilibrium exercising through the simulation of downhill skiing. We validated the score computation and tested the efficacy of the system in a user test with 40 healthy participants, in ecological settings. The evaluation concerned user performance and a game experience questionnaire. The results, deduced through mapping users' performance to their balance capacity, showed statistically significant improvement in players' ability to use the BB. Users also reported a positive gameplay experience.