The Smartfloor : a large area force-measuring floor for investigating dynamic balance and motivating exercise

Balance is a pre-requisite of success in many sports and is typically measured under static task constraints. Many sports are dynamic and require more appropriate measures of dynamic balance. Our group has developed a large area (3m x 3m) force-sensing floor (the smartfloor), consisting of 36 networked force-sensing tiles. This equipment can be used to study and train dynamic balance as a participant performs sport-related. Short-throw projectors display high resolution dynamic graphics on the floor and front wall, providing an immersive representation of sporting or other performance environments. The smartfloor can also benefit wider society by providing a functional assessment and training of perceptual-motor behaviours in ageing and pathological groups. Other uses include motivating exercise by implementing movement-controlled games on the floor (exergaming).