scholarly journals Personalized Tracking of Physical Activity in Children Using a Wearable Heart Rate Monitor

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (16) ◽  
pp. 5895
Author(s):  
Santiago A. Pérez ◽  
Ana M. Díaz ◽  
Diego M. López
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Computer Games ◽  
Serious Games ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Computer Game ◽  
Significant Risk Factor ◽  
Interactive System ◽  
User Characteristics

Serious games are video games that are intended to support learning while entertaining. They are considered valuable tools to improve user-specific skills or facilitate educational or therapeutic processes, especially in children. One of the disadvantages of computer games, in general, is their promotion of sedentary habits, considered as a significant risk factor for developing diseases such as obesity and hypertension. Exergames are serious games created to overcome the disadvantages of traditional computer games by promoting physical activity while playing. This study describes the development and evaluation of an adaptive component to monitor physical activity in children while using an exergame. The system is based on wearable technology to measure heart rate and perform real-time customizations in the exergame. To evaluate the adaptive component, an experiment was conducted with 30 children between 5 and 7 years of age, where the adaptive system was contrasted with a conventional interactive system (an exergame without adaptive component). It was demonstrated that the computer game, using the adaptive component, was able to change in real-time some of its functionalities based on the user characteristics. Increased levels of heart rate and caloric expenditure were significant in some of the game scenarios using the adaptive component. Although a formal user experience evaluation was not performed, excellent game playability and adherence by users were observed.

Real-time Judgment of Workload using Heart Rate and Physical Activity

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nobuki Hashiguchi ◽  
Lim Yeongjoo ◽  
Cyo Sya ◽  
Shinichi Kuroishi ◽  
Yasuhiro Miyazaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Time Judgment

MODELING AND AUGMENTING GAME ENTERTAINMENT THROUGH CHALLENGE AND CURIOSITY

2007 ◽  
Vol 16 (06) ◽  
pp. 981-999 ◽  
Author(s):  
GEORGIOS N. YANNAKAKIS ◽  
JOHN HALLAM
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Computer Games ◽  
Mixed Reality ◽  
Computer Game ◽  
Feedforward Neural Networks ◽  
Interactive Systems ◽  
Quantitative Measurements ◽  
Player Satisfaction ◽  
On Line ◽  
On Line Learning

This paper presents quantitative measurements/metrics of qualitative entertainment features within computer game environments and proposes artificial intelligence (AI) techniques for optimizing entertainment in such interactive systems. A human-verified metric of interest (i.e. player entertainment in real-time) for predator/prey games and a neuro-evolution on-line learning (i.e. during play) approach have already been reported in the literature to serve this purpose. In this paper, an alternative quantitative approach to entertainment modeling based on psychological studies in the field of computer games is introduced and a comparative study of the two approaches is presented. Feedforward neural networks (NNs) and fuzzy-NNs are used to model player satisfaction (interest) in real-time and investigate quantitatively how the qualitative factors of challenge and curiosity contribute to human entertainment. We demonstrate that appropriate non-extreme levels of challenge and curiosity generate high values of entertainment and we project the extensibility of the approach to other genres of digital entertainment (e.g. mixed-reality interactive playgrounds).

scholarly journals The Effect of Upgrades to Childcare Outdoor Spaces on Preschoolers’ Physical Activity: Findings from a Natural Experiment

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Ng ◽  
Michael Rosenberg ◽  
Ashleigh Thornton ◽  
Leanne Lester ◽  
Stewart G. Trost ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Natural Experiment ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Significant Risk Factor ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Outdoor Spaces ◽  
Education And Care

Physical inactivity is a significant risk factor for childhood obesity. Preventing obesity in the early years reduces the risk of developing chronic health conditions later. Early childhood education and care (ECEC) services are important settings to establish good preschooler physical activity behaviors. This natural experiment investigated the influence of ECEC outdoor physical environment upgrade on preschoolers’ physical activity (aged 2–5 years). Centers implemented upgrades without researcher input. Physical activity was measured by 7-day accelerometry for intervention (n = 159; 6 centers) and control (n = 138; 5 centers) groups. ECEC outdoor space was assessed using a modified Environment and Policy Assessment and Observation (EPAO) Instrument. Key outcomes were measured at baseline and 6–12 months follow-up. Fixed sandboxes, balls, portable slides, portable floor play equipment (e.g., tumbling mats), and natural grassed areas were positively associated with activity levels; fixed tunnels and twirling equipment were negatively associated with activity levels (all p < 0.05). Post-upgrade portable play equipment (balls, twirling equipment, slides, floor play equipment) increased intervention preschoolers’ moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels compared to control (p < 0.05). Intervention preschoolers were more active than control at follow-up (58.09 vs. 42.13 min/day increase in total physical activity; 30.46 vs. 19.16 min/day increase in MVPA (all p < 0.001)). Since few preschoolers meet daily activity recommendations while at ECEC, the findings may help ECEC providers to optimize outdoor physical environments and encourage more active play among preschoolers.

scholarly journals Dynamic Control in Real-Time Heuristic Search

2008 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
pp. 419-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Bulitko ◽  
M. Lustrek ◽  
J. Schaeffer ◽  
Y. Bjornsson ◽  
S. Sigmundarson
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Computer Games ◽  
Heuristic Search ◽  
Dynamic Control ◽  
Computer Game ◽  
Action Planning ◽  
Search Algorithms ◽  
Problem Size ◽  
Planning Time ◽  
Large Computer

Real-time heuristic search is a challenging type of agent-centered search because the agent's planning time per action is bounded by a constant independent of problem size. A common problem that imposes such restrictions is pathfinding in modern computer games where a large number of units must plan their paths simultaneously over large maps. Common search algorithms (e.g., A*, IDA*, D*, ARA*, AD*) are inherently not real-time and may lose completeness when a constant bound is imposed on per-action planning time. Real-time search algorithms retain completeness but frequently produce unacceptably suboptimal solutions. In this paper, we extend classic and modern real-time search algorithms with an automated mechanism for dynamic depth and subgoal selection. The new algorithms remain real-time and complete. On large computer game maps, they find paths within 7% of optimal while on average expanding roughly a single state per action. This is nearly a three-fold improvement in suboptimality over the existing state-of-the-art algorithms and, at the same time, a 15-fold improvement in the amount of planning per action.

scholarly journals Comparison of Physical Activity Sensors and Heart Rate Monitoring for Real-Time Activity Detection in Type 1 Diabetes and Control Subjects

2013 ◽  
Vol 15 (9) ◽  
pp. 751-757 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chinmay Manohar ◽  
Derek T. O'Keeffe ◽  
Ling Hinshaw ◽  
Ravi Lingineni ◽  
Shelly K. McCrady-Spitzer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Type 1 Diabetes ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Activity Detection ◽  
Heart Rate Monitoring ◽  
Time Activity ◽  
Activity Sensors ◽  
And Control

scholarly journals Association between heart rate response during orthostatic test and falls in polymorbid patients aged 60 years and older

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 433-441
Author(s):  
A. V. Turusheva ◽  
Yu. V. Kotovskaya ◽  
E. V. Frolova
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Orthostatic Hypotension ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Significant Risk Factor ◽  
Vertical Position ◽  
Orthostatic Test ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Risk Of Falls

Background. Orthostatic hypotension is a significant risk factor of falling in older adults. To diagnose the orthostatic hypotension an orthostatic test is used with assessment of heart rate (HR) response, systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at the 3rd minute after the rise. However, according to studies, measurement of SBP and DBP at the 1st minute after rising can be more sensitive to detect older adults at risk of falling than at 3rd minute.Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of changes in SBP, DBP and HR at the 1st, 2nd and 3rd minutes when performing an orthostatic test for identification of the elderly at high-risk of falls.Design and methods. This cross-sectional study included 100 adults aged 59+. Among them women comprise 56 % (n = 56). The following procedures were performed: the orthostatic test, anthropometry, medical history, assessment of drug treatment, depression evaluation, dementia and the degree of autonomy decline.Results. HR response at the 1st minute after the transition from horizontal to vertical position is more significant factor of falls risk than SBP and DBP changes during performing of orthostatic test. Absence of HR increasing during the transition from horizontal to vertical position associates with 10‑fold of risk falls among older adults: odds ratio 95 % confidence interval (OR 95 % CI) 10,5 (2,9–37,8). This association remained significant even after adjusting for age, gender, β-blockers use and comorbidity.Conclusion. Absence of HR increasing during the transition from horizontal to vertical position is a high sensitive marker of detecting older adults with polymorbidity in patients with the high risk of falls.

scholarly journals The Use of Food Images and Crowdsourcing to Capture Real-time Eating Behaviors: Acceptability and Usability Study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharine Harrington ◽  
Shannon N Zenk ◽  
Linda Van Horn ◽  
Lauren Giurini ◽  
Nithya Mahakala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Eating Behavior ◽  
Eating Behaviors ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Significant Risk Factor ◽  
The United States ◽  
Amazon Mechanical Turk ◽  
Noncommunicable Diseases ◽  
Food Images

BACKGROUND As poor diet quality is a significant risk factor for multiple noncommunicable diseases prevalent in the United States, it is important that methods be developed to accurately capture eating behavior data. There is growing interest in the use of ecological momentary assessments to collect data on health behaviors and their predictors on a micro timescale (at different points within or across days); however, documenting eating behaviors remains a challenge. OBJECTIVE This pilot study (N=48) aims to examine the feasibility—usability and acceptability—of using smartphone-captured and crowdsource-labeled images to document eating behaviors in real time. METHODS Participants completed the Block Fat/Sugar/Fruit/Vegetable Screener to provide a measure of their typical eating behavior, then took pictures of their meals and snacks and answered brief survey questions for 7 consecutive days using a commercially available smartphone app. Participant acceptability was determined through a questionnaire regarding their experiences administered at the end of the study. The images of meals and snacks were uploaded to Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk), a crowdsourcing distributed human intelligence platform, where 2 Workers assigned a count of food categories to the images (fruits, vegetables, salty snacks, and sweet snacks). The agreement among MTurk Workers was assessed, and weekly food counts were calculated and compared with the Screener responses. RESULTS Participants reported little difficulty in uploading photographs and remembered to take photographs most of the time. Crowdsource-labeled images (n=1014) showed moderate agreement between the MTurk Worker responses for vegetables (688/1014, 67.85%) and high agreement for all other food categories (871/1014, 85.89% for fruits; 847/1014, 83.53% for salty snacks, and 833/1014, 81.15% for sweet snacks). There were no significant differences in weekly food consumption between the food images and the Block Screener, suggesting that this approach may measure typical eating behaviors as accurately as traditional methods, with lesser burden on participants. CONCLUSIONS Our approach offers a potentially time-efficient and cost-effective strategy for capturing eating events in real time.

scholarly journals Effect of eating habits, BMI value, physical activity and smoking cigarettes on blood lipid indices of adolescent boys from Poland

2020 ◽  
pp. 413-422
Author(s):  
Ewa Piotrowska ◽  
Michaela Godyla-Jabłoński ◽  
Monika Bronkowska
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Lipid Metabolism ◽  
Cardiovascular Diseases ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Blood Lipid ◽  
Significant Risk Factor ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Blood Lipid Profile

Background. The lifestyle of young boys has impact on the risks of cardiovascular diseases. Objective. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of atherosclerosis risk factors determined by overweight and obesity and lifestyle, i.e.: eating habits, low physical activity and smoking cigarettes, on blood lipid profile of boys at the age of 16 to 18. Material and Methods. The study covered 369 boys from secondary schools. They were evaluated for the supply of dietary constituents with atherogenic and protective actions, for nutritional status acc. to Cole’s criteria, the level of physical activity, and smoking cigarettes. Lipid metabolism was determined based on criteria recommended by the American National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP). Logistic regression analysis was conducted and risk odds ratio [OR] was determined. Results. Analyses showed the boys to be characterized by overweight (10.8%) and obesity (2.7%), and by inappropriate concentration of total cholesterol (26.5%), LDL (13.3%), HDL (21.7%) and triglycerides (41.7%). High BMI turned out to be a significant risk factor of an elevated total cholesterol concentration: [aOR]=2.27; triglycerides: [aOR]=2.35 and LDL: [aOR]=2.41. Low physical activity was found to negatively affect the concentration of LDL: [aOR]=1.88. The boys smoking cigarettes were shown to have a reduced HDL: [aOR]=1.65. The total content of fat and saturated fatty acids in diet exerted a significantly negative impact on blood lipid profile of the boys. Conclusions. The lifestyle of the young boys was demonstrated to determine the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Overweight and obesity, abdominal obesity in particular, were found to be a significant risk factor of disorders in their lipid metabolism.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document