Page 24 - Green Builder Magazine May-June 2019 Issue

Voice ready. For seniors, voice control moves from novelty to necessity, although privacy concerns still need serious attention.

VIRTUAL REALITY: DOORWAY TO HEALTH? a narrative that fuels the desire to improve. For example, in a virtual
As we age, things break down. But the right behavior can slow that bicycle tour of Rome, a user may need to pedal a little farther each
process. People well into their 80s and 90s have shown major health day, as stepping stones to visit the Sistine Chapel.
improvements with regular exercise. Seniors spend most of their A European study of seniors conducted last year compared their
time at home. How can we help them get the workout they need? physical improvement from three types of exercise: physical exercise
For many, a double obstacle keeps them from getting on a treadmill (PE), virtual reality-based exercise (VRE) and brain exercise (BE).
or stationary bike. First, it seems “too late” to do anything physical, They found that while old-fashioned PE helped the most, VRE
because they’ve developed in rmities that hold them back: a bad was a close second and also helped with cognitive function. Perhaps
heart, arthritis or fragile bones. Second, they simply don’t have the more importantly, participants preferred virtual exercising to other
will or the interest, or the self-discipline to get on a treadmill at home. forms. This solves the second challenge: motivation.
That’s where new technology can intervene. Several studies And, expect VRE to keep getting better. Game makers are getting
have found that virtual reality technology, combined with exercise in on the action. For example, take a look at Beat Saber, a rhythm-
equipment, can not only restore health among seniors, but also make based light saber game you play with two kinetic swords in hand.
them sharper mentally. The possibilities of VR for seniors go on and on. A study reported
Virtual reality exercise is wide open. It can “virtually” accommodate in The Lancet found that seniors who train on a VR treadmill
any level of physical limitation. Users can start small, such as by reduce their typical number of falls by 42 percent. The VR program
simply lifting an arm, and “advance” to higher levels involving presented participants with obstacles they had to practice stepping
treadmills and rapid movements. Good virtual-reality exercise creates over.

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