Videogames may help seniors improve balance, says researcher

Getting seniors to play Nintendo Wii games may help develop their ‘sixth sense’, improve balance and prevent falls, says an exercise researcher and former Windsor resident.

While these types of games are already being incorporated in some hospitals and senior homes, Daniel Goble said his research is primarily focused on proprioception, also referred to as “the sixth sense” by some.

“The way people have approached them in the past has been to look at muscle strength or coordination or how good your vision is, but one of the things that don’t get as much attention but really important to keep you upright to keep you from falling is your sense of proprioception,” he said.