Project NATAL - An innovative co-designed exergame for pregnant women

Project details 

Exergaming has been proposed as a method to encourage physical activity in sedentary and high-risk populations  with contraindications akin to pregnant women.  Fittingly, exergames may be an advantageous to aid motivation for exercise by connecting the fun of electronic games with physical activity  in the home environment.

The current popularity of exergaming makes it a promising substitute to traditional physical activity, having the potential to increase satisfaction, motivation and adherence to regular exercise. This is particularly meaningful for sedentary obese pregnant women, who are less likely to voluntarily engage in regular physical activity. Home based exergaming may be also more desirable than exercising in groups for obese women who often have poor body image , prefer not to engage in exercise groups for cultural reasons, or in circumstances where access to training facilities is limited.

This project will design and develop an exergame prototype that will assist pregnant women with a BMI>30 to engage in safe and effective exercise in their own home.