title: The design of a purpose-built exergame for fall prediction and prevention for older people.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Falls in older people represent a major age-related health challenge facing our society. Novel methods for delivery of falls prevention programs are required to increase effectiveness and adherence to these programs while containing costs. The primary aim of the Information and Communications Technology-based System to Predict and Prevent Falls (iStoppFalls) project was to develop innovative home-based technologies for continuous monitoring and exercise-based prevention of falls in community-dwelling older people. The aim of this paper is to describe the components of the iStoppFalls system.
  
  
  METHODS
  The system comprised of 1) a TV, 2) a PC, 3) the Microsoft Kinect, 4) a wearable sensor and 5) an assessment and training software as the main components.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The iStoppFalls system implements existing technologies to deliver a tailored home-based exercise and education program aimed at reducing fall risk in older people. A risk assessment tool was designed to identify fall risk factors. The content and progression rules of the iStoppFalls exergames were developed from evidence-based fall prevention interventions targeting muscle strength and balance in older people.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The iStoppFalls fall prevention program, used in conjunction with the multifactorial fall risk assessment tool, aims to provide a comprehensive and individualised, yet novel fall risk assessment and prevention program that is feasible for widespread use to prevent falls and fall-related injuries. This work provides a new approach to engage older people in home-based exercise programs to complement or provide a potentially motivational alternative to traditional exercise to reduce the risk of falling.
authors: Institute of Movement and Sport Gerontology, German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Muengersdorf 6, Cologne, 50933 Germany.
authors: Hannah R
authors: HR
authors: Marston
authors: Neuroscience Research Australia, University of New South Wales, Barker Street, Randwick, Sydney, New South Wales 2031 Australia.
authors: Ashley
authors: A
authors: Woodbury
authors: Neuroscience Research Australia, University of New South Wales, Barker Street, Randwick, Sydney, New South Wales 2031 Australia.
authors: Yves J
authors: YJ
authors: Gschwind
authors: Institute of Movement and Sport Gerontology, German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Muengersdorf 6, Cologne, 50933 Germany.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Kroll
authors: Institute of Movement and Sport Gerontology, German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Muengersdorf 6, Cologne, 50933 Germany.
authors: Denis
authors: D
authors: Fink
authors: Institute of Movement and Sport Gerontology, German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Muengersdorf 6, Cologne, 50933 Germany.
authors: Sabine
authors: S
authors: Eichberg
authors: Assistive Healthcare Information Technology Group, Austrian Institute of Technology, Donau-City-Strasse 1, Vienna, 1220 Austria.
authors: Karl
authors: K
authors: Kreiner
authors: Assistive Healthcare Information Technology Group, Austrian Institute of Technology, Donau-City-Strasse 1, Vienna, 1220 Austria.
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Ejupi
authors: Personal Health Department, Philips Research Europe, High Tech Campus 34, Eindhoven, 5656AE The Netherlands.
authors: Janneke
authors: J
authors: Annegarn
authors: Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Healthcare Technology Group, Valencia, Spain ; Institute of Biomechanics of Valencia, University Polytechnic of Valencia, Edificio 9C Camino de Vera s/n, Valencia, 46022 Spain.
authors: Helios
authors: H
authors: de Rosario
authors: Kaasa Solution GmbH, Flinger Str. 11, Düsseldorf, 40213 Germany.
authors: Arno
authors: A
authors: Wienholtz
authors: Institute for Information Systems, University of Siegen, Hölderlinstrasse 3, Siegen, 57076 Germany.
authors: Rainer
authors: R
authors: Wieching
authors: Neuroscience Research Australia, University of New South Wales, Barker Street, Randwick, Sydney, New South Wales 2031 Australia.
authors: Kim
authors: K
authors: Delbaere
keywords: Balance; Exercise; Exergame; Fall prevention; Fall risk; Older people; Strength; Technology