Flex-up
Prevent disorder of ageing by stimulating physical activity
Information
Author: Van der Hout, M.
Contributor: Van Boeijen, A.G.C., Goossens, R.H.M.
Faculty: Industrial Design Engineering
Department: Integrated Product Design
Programme: Master of Integrated Product Design Specialization: Medisign
Type: Master thesis
Date: 18-12-2009
Keywords: Elderly |Physical activity | Context mapping | Alarm clock
Abstract
When a human ages, more physical complaints arise which are related to inac- tivity. Flexibility decreases and many people experience pain in their joints. Doing exercises that focus on increasing flexibility on a regular basis helps to solve this problem or prevent it from arising.
This master thesis shows the development of a product that stimulates elderly to be physical active on regular basis. This process has been user-centered and qualitative researches like Context mapping and Co-creation took place in order to gain extensive user insights. These insights are translated into an interaction vision with the help of the Vision in Product method. After generation many ideas, the final concept, named 'Flex-Up', is developed. This concept is an alarm clock including audio-guided exercises that can be done during the waking-up ritual. The content of the product can be extended online with the help of the 'Flex-Up' web tool. Here people can create new exercise sets.
The concept called ‘Flex-Up’ is an alarm clock including audio-guided exercises that stimulates elderly to be physically active during the waking-up ritual and hereby improves their well being and prevents physical complaints. The flex-up comes standard with a specially selected exercise series that, when used regularly, will increase flexibility and will reduce the experience of stiffness in the body. Next to this there is an opportu- nity to personalize the ‘Flex-Up’ with self created or selected exercise series. The exercise series can be created online and can easily be uploaded to the ‘Flex-Up’. Using the ‘Flex-Up’ on a regular basis gives some structure to the day of the users. Especially for people who are retired or unem- ployed this could be an added value. The ‘Flex-Up’ also anticipates on the increasing individualisation in our society. Some people will probability feel less lonely when they are waking up with a voice that starts interacting with them. The flex-up helps to smoothen the transition from sleeping to getting out of bed and taking on the day.
