A Kinect-Based Feedback System for Improving Static Balance Ability

A Kinect-based feedback system is developed for static balance ability training in this study. It includes three parts: (1) a series of demonstrations of training movements, (2) evaluation of user's gesture, and (3) real time feedback. We tested the feasibility of our feedback system to improve static balance ability with twelve participants. The participants learned and performed three movements and our system provided a feedback (positive or negative) simultaneously regarding their performance. The participants then tried to improve their performance based on received feedback. To test the feasibility of our feedback system, we carried out balance ability pre-test before our activity and balance ability post-test after the activity, and after that, we compared the difference among results. Our findings showed that balance ability of the participants significantly increased from the beginning of the activity to the end. This suggests that our Kinect-based feedback system is beneficial for static balance ability development. The feedback system was very useful because it provided feedback regarding the participants' performance and the participants used it to adjust their movements and postures.