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Game power could revolutionise exercise

A Sunderland digital company is trying out new technology that could revolutionise the way we exercise and reduce death from heart disease in the UK. AiDEPT is a new company that specialises in Advanced Interactive Digital Exercise Prescription Technology (AiDEPT). The company is developing a prescription-based interactive exercise software to create a fitness experience that combines virtual reality videogames with a workout tailored to a person’s physical ability.

AiDEPT has been supported by University of Teesside, Cels, the North East’s centre of excellence for healthcare and life science, and Codeworks, a centre for digital innovation based in Sunderland.

The AiDEPT venture is forecast to be worth over £10 million in three years’ time and the company is partnering with a European gym equipment manufacturer.

An initial study using AiDEPT’s exercise gaming software was prototyped on a bike with 22 adults aged between 50 and 75 at the University of Teesside’s Sports Exercise department, and showed positive results.

A larger scale study was completed last month, with 81 participants and six game demos, to test whether the AiDEPT system could be used to encourage people to keep coming back to the gym, rather than giving up due to boredom, as often happens. The results of the study are due to be published at the end of January.

University of Teesside’s Knowledge House Manager, Dr Geoff Archer added: “It’s a success story with huge potential and shows how by working in partnership with the region’s universities, innovation can be encouraged across the North East.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .