EXER-STATIONEXER-STATION

Bichar MyrtilTarafa M. Al-Awaj

ISSUEISSUE

"We have noticed that children in America are tending more toward obesity [&

general less fitness] than in decades past; Part of it is due to sedentary lifestyles that kids are getting into. Rather than run in the woods, they've got Game Boy, Nintendo

and television." - - Discovery_Channel.com/Health Discovery_Channel.com/Health

Dec 2003Dec 2003

IssueIssue

Children’s Hospital has Children’s Hospital has realized that patients realized that patients spend majority of time spend majority of time playing video gamesplaying video games

In addition, most patients In addition, most patients (i.e. PKU patients) have (i.e. PKU patients) have physical handicapsphysical handicaps

Usually have minimal Usually have minimal exercise in a dayexercise in a day

Deterioration in general Deterioration in general healthhealth

TARGET PATIENTSTARGET PATIENTS

Specially designed for PKU patients in the Specially designed for PKU patients in the Vanderbilt Children’s HospitalVanderbilt Children’s Hospital

Inability of the body to utilize the essential amino Inability of the body to utilize the essential amino acid, phenylalanineacid, phenylalanine

Chronically high levels of phenylalanine and Chronically high levels of phenylalanine and some of its breakdown products can cause some of its breakdown products can cause significant brain problemssignificant brain problems

Signs of nervous system function problems, Signs of nervous system function problems, such as increased muscle tone, and more active such as increased muscle tone, and more active muscle tendon reflexes and decreased body muscle tendon reflexes and decreased body growthgrowth

TARGET PATIENTS (cont’d)TARGET PATIENTS (cont’d)

STATISTICSOne of every 10,000 to 20,000 Caucasian One of every 10,000 to 20,000 Caucasian

or Oriental births (the incidence in African or Oriental births (the incidence in African Americans is far less) Americans is far less)

Equally frequent in males and females Equally frequent in males and females ≈ ≈ 27,200 individuals in the USA only27,200 individuals in the USA only

TARGET PATIENTS (cont’d)TARGET PATIENTS (cont’d)PARAMETERS

Limited IQs ( < 80 ) “Special”Limited IQs ( < 80 ) “Special”Some Physical LimitationsSome Physical LimitationsLower Socio-Economic Background (limits Lower Socio-Economic Background (limits

financial resources)financial resources)Parents Usually Low in MotivationParents Usually Low in MotivationOther Limited Resources (e.g., education)Other Limited Resources (e.g., education)

Alternate SolutionsAlternate Solutions

DRUG ADMINSTRATION DRUG ADMINSTRATION (e.g., Amphetamines)(e.g., Amphetamines)

Adverse Psychological Effect/DamageAdverse Psychological Effect/DamagePossibly Addictive (Dependency) Possibly Addictive (Dependency)

PERSONAL TRAINER/THERAPISTPERSONAL TRAINER/THERAPISTExpensive (Cost Factor)Expensive (Cost Factor)Lack of Independent MotivationLack of Independent Motivation

SolutionSolution

Incorporate an amount of physical aerobic activity Incorporate an amount of physical aerobic activity into video playinto video play

+ Incorporate ‘leg-activated’ commands instead of + Incorporate ‘leg-activated’ commands instead of ‘finger-activated’‘finger-activated’

+ Independent Exercise+ Independent Exercise

+ Patient can remain sedentary+ Patient can remain sedentary

+ Aid in improving patient health and morale+ Aid in improving patient health and morale

________________________________________________________________________________

= = EXER-STATIONEXER-STATION

“ “Pedal power energy has been in use since Pedal power energy has been in use since the nineteenth century. Pedal power uses the the nineteenth century. Pedal power uses the most powerful muscles in the body: the most powerful muscles in the body: the quads, hamstrings, and calves. When quads, hamstrings, and calves. When pedaling in a circular motion at sixty to eighty pedaling in a circular motion at sixty to eighty revolutions per minute, with the use of toe revolutions per minute, with the use of toe clips, almost every muscle in the human legs clips, almost every muscle in the human legs can be used to make energy.”can be used to make energy.”

-Wilson 1977-Wilson 1977

MODEL of EXER-STATIONMODEL of EXER-STATION

•North and South of the Left analog stick will be replaced by pedal motion.•All other commands will remain intact and function through hand controller.

CONTROLLER

• Volare Mag Trainer w/Elastogel and Remote• Magnetic resistance unit with 5 different levels of adjustment

RESISTANCE

Output from generator will be smoothed and scaled to produce a DC current from -3V to +3V for maximum backward/forward (down/up) motion respectively.

DC GENERATOR

ADDITIONAL PARAMETERSADDITIONAL PARAMETERS TIRE DIAMETER= 24” (Unicycle TIRE DIAMETER= 24” (Unicycle

Wheel w/ Pedals Directly Attached) Wheel w/ Pedals Directly Attached)

Speed Range 40-120 RPM Speed Range 40-120 RPM Below:- Strains joints Below:- Strains joints Above:- Efficiency falls offAbove:- Efficiency falls off

EXTRA PARAMETERS (CONT’D)EXTRA PARAMETERS (CONT’D)

• Shaft 8mm diameter• Armature 52mm diameter •Rpm2 = (d1/d2) * Rpm1

GAMEPLAYGAMEPLAY

Design and Tested To Work Best w/ Motion Design and Tested To Work Best w/ Motion Games or Simple Maneuver (Racecar, 1Games or Simple Maneuver (Racecar, 1stst Person-Action, etc)Person-Action, etc)

AIMSAIMS

1 hour of Exer-Station =1 hour of Exer-Station =

20 minute Brisk Walk 20 minute Brisk Walk

4 minute Sprint 4 minute Sprint

Approximately 86 Calories!Approximately 86 Calories!

Results?Results?

Kids play ≈ 6 hours/dayKids play ≈ 6 hours/day

Use ≈ 100 Calories/hourUse ≈ 100 Calories/hour

Expend ≈ 600 Calories/day!!!Expend ≈ 600 Calories/day!!!

MARKET POTENTIALMARKET POTENTIAL

Ages 8+Ages 8+ Hospital PatientsHospital Patients Obese IndividualsObese Individuals Individuals concerned about fitnessIndividuals concerned about fitness General Video Game AudienceGeneral Video Game Audience

TIME CHARTTIME CHART

December January February March April

Preliminary research

Extensive research

Feedback

Design

Prototype

Testing

BUDGETBUDGET $400 Initial Budget $400 Initial Budget (from Dr. Summar)(from Dr. Summar)

Playstation II Console ($200)Playstation II Console ($200) Multiple Controllers ($75)Multiple Controllers ($75) Three Games ($150)Three Games ($150)

Additional $350 Requested Additional $350 Requested (from Dr. King’s Grant)(from Dr. King’s Grant) Leg Activated ElementsLeg Activated Elements

Unicycle ($125)Unicycle ($125) Mag. Trainer ($150)Mag. Trainer ($150) DC Generator ($25)DC Generator ($25) WiresWires LEDsLEDs ChipsChips Circuit BoardCircuit Board

Decorative Design/ AestheticsDecorative Design/ Aesthetics MiscellaneousMiscellaneous

ADVISORSADVISORS

Paul H. King, PhD., P.E.:Paul H. King, PhD., P.E.: -Associate Professor of Biomedical -Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Vanderbilt.Engineering at Vanderbilt.-Associate Professor of Mechanical -Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Vanderbilt.Engineering at Vanderbilt.-Associate Professor of Anesthesiology at -Associate Professor of Anesthesiology at Vanderbilt.Vanderbilt.-Instructor of the senior Biomedical -Instructor of the senior Biomedical Engineering design course at Vanderbilt.Engineering design course at Vanderbilt.

Marshall Summar, M.D.:Marshall Summar, M.D.:-Associate Professor of Pediatrics at -Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Vanderbilt.Vanderbilt.-Associate Professor of Molecular -Associate Professor of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics at Vanderbilt.Physiology & Biophysics at Vanderbilt.

VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY-lab space-machine shop-research facilities-software-help purchase necessary tools/equipment

SECOND BASE-back-up location when primary lab not available

RESOURCES

w/ Exer-stationw/ Exer-station