Balance is part of everything we do – from sitting upright in a chair or crossing the street safely to throwing a baseball or doing ballet.
But it can be disrupted by various health conditions and tends to decline as we age. NYU Tisch dance professor Elizabeth Coker and NYU Steinhardt physical therapy professor Anat Lubetzky teamed up to develop Home Balance Test, an app that uses a smartphone’s sensors to track how much a user sways while carrying out a set of balancing tasks. With the data it collects, health providers can help identify those – particularly older adults – who need help to prevent falls, and researchers can build a better understanding of how balance varies across different groups.
Video by Jonathan King
Related Articles
Virtual Reality Boxing Effective in Reducing Stress, Improving Cognitive Function in Adolescents
An NYU Steinhardt researcher studied the impact BOXVR on the Oculus Rift had on teens’ stress and anxiety levels, cognitive function, and enjoyment of exercise.
Rehabilitating Your Brain with the Touch of an App
Gerald Voebel, associate professor of Occupational Therapy, discusses the role apps can play in the rehabilitation of patients with traumatic brain injuries.
Professors Create Free Research-Backed Games to Train Your Brain
University professors from New York and California designed and developed three digital games to help its users’ brains work more efficiently.
