How Games Can Help Kids Get Stronger Arms

Kids and teens with typical development can benefit from playing games that involve arm movements. These games, known as exergames, can make therapy more fun and engaging. But how do we know if these games are really helping? That's where the idea of measuring intensity comes in. Intensity in therapy is important. It's like how hard you're working out. In regular exercise, we know that working harder can lead to better results. The same might be true for therapy. But in therapy for kids with arm issues, we don't have a clear way to measure how hard they're working. This is a problem because therapy intensity can vary. Some kids might be working really hard, while others might not be pushing themselves as much. Without a good way to measure this, it's hard to know if the therapy is as effective as it could be. One way to measure intensity is by looking at how the body responds to different levels of mental and physical effort. For example, playing a game that requires quick arm movements might be more intense than a game that's more relaxed. By studying these responses, we can get a better idea of how to make therapy more effective. But it's not just about the physical effort. Mental effort matters too. A game that's more challenging mentally might also increase intensity. This is important because therapy isn't just about physical exercise. It's also about engaging the mind. In the end, the goal is to find a way to measure intensity that considers both physical and mental effort. This can help make therapy more effective and tailored to each child's needs. By using exergames, we can make therapy more fun and engaging, while also getting a better understanding of how to measure and improve intensity.