Video games that provide balance training on a special mat reduce the number of falls in older adults by 26%. This has been shown by a study published in the journal. Nature Medicine.
Previous studies by various scientists have shown that regular balance exercises help reduce the risk of falls in older people. But many people find it difficult to force themselves to exercise often and for long enough. In a new study, scientists proposed solving this problem using gamification, that is, adding game elements to education.
Scientists have developed a play mat that connects to a TV screen. During the game, the elderly person has to press various buttons on the mat with their feet, following the instructions on the screen. For following instructions correctly, one gets points. Scientists have noted that the desire to break records motivates a person to continue training.
769 people over the age of 65 participated in the experiment. Half of them were asked to play a game developed by scientists for a total of 120 minutes a week, and the other half were given a booklet with advice on preventing falls. A year later, the authors evaluated falls in the exercise group and in people living their lives as usual. The difference was 26%: a fall occurred in about a third of the participants in the first group and in half in the second group.
Every year, one-third of people over the age of 65 fall. This can be dangerous to health and life. One of the serious consequences of a fall is hip fracture, which is associated with a high risk of death and loss of independence at home.
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