User centered design and development of a game for exercise in older adults

Thirty percent of older adults fall every year. One of the most effective methods to help prevent falls is participation in a regular fitness or exercise program to build and maintain capacities. Few exercise programs for older adults utilize the advances in technology and gaming for fitness. Fifteen older adults currently involved in a fitness program for seniors at California State University-Fullerton participated in focus groups. The focus groups explored perceptions of health and wellness, the use of and access to technology, and ideas for the development of a game for fitness. The data were analyzed using open coding and the themes that emerged from the data were used in the design of a prototype game. Nineteen older adults participated in an iterative user testing process of the prototype game. The iterative user testing process involved several cycles of user testing and changes to the prototype. The feedback from the user testing process as well as the focus groups will be summarized and explored in this paper. Details of a preliminary game will be presented with a focus on access to technology for older adults, participation as means for prevention and building capacities.