As the population is aging, more attention needs to be paid to the needs of seniors and how information and communication technology (ICT)-based support can help this population age gracefully. This paper provides an in-depth look at a field study with 12 senior participants on a fall prevention system (iStoppFalls). The seniors participated in a long-term living lab study over a period of six months, where seniors in a community-based setting used fall preventive training to hopefully reduce their risk of falling using exergames. Exergames combine different strength training and balance exercise games. These exercises were built on established concepts in the literature and current research. A participatory design approach was taken, and the participants actively participated in the design of the exergames.
Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected. Because of the small number of participants, the quantitative data was descriptive in nature but served as a confirmation source to triangulate with the qualitative data. A good survey of the current literature in the field of technology in fall prevention is presented. A robust reference list is also included.
The use of the system varied as the participants were heterogeneous in nature (level of activity, age, gender, familiarity with technology). Baselines were established and then compared at the end of the six-month study. The work focused on usability, accessibility, and user experience with the ICT system. Some interesting gender differences were observed. The findings are mostly positive, and giving older adults the opportunity to monitor and control their own fitness, health, and fall risk with ICT support seems to be beneficial.