EXER-STATION Bichar Myrtil Tarafa M. Al-Awaj

ISSUE "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 2003 Dec 2003

Issue Children’s Hospital has realized that patients spend majority of time playing video games Children’s Hospital has realized that patients spend majority of time playing video games In addition, most patients (i.e. PKU patients) have physical handicaps In addition, most patients (i.e. PKU patients) have physical handicaps Usually have minimal exercise in a day Usually have minimal exercise in a day Deterioration in general health Deterioration in general health

TARGET PATIENTS Specially designed for PKU patients in the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital Specially designed for PKU patients in the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital Inability of the body to utilize the essential amino acid, phenylalanine Inability of the body to utilize the essential amino acid, phenylalanine Chronically high levels of phenylalanine and some of its breakdown products can cause significant brain problems Chronically high levels of phenylalanine and some of its breakdown products can cause significant brain problems Signs of nervous system function problems, such as increased muscle tone, and more active muscle tendon reflexes and decreased body growth Signs of nervous system function problems, such as increased muscle tone, and more active muscle tendon reflexes and decreased body growth

TARGET PATIENTS (cont’d) TARGET PATIENTS (cont’d) STATISTICS One of every 10,000 to 20,000 Caucasian or Oriental births (the incidence in African Americans is far less) One of every 10,000 to 20,000 Caucasian or Oriental births (the incidence in African Americans is far less) Equally frequent in males and females Equally frequent in males and females ≈ 27,200 individuals in the USA only ≈ 27,200 individuals in the USA only

TARGET PATIENTS (cont’d) TARGET PATIENTS (cont’d) PARAMETERS Limited IQs ( < 80 ) Limited IQs ( < 80 ) Some Physical Limitations Some Physical Limitations Lower Socio-Economic Background (limits financial resources) Lower Socio-Economic Background (limits financial resources) Parents Usually Low in Motivation Parents Usually Low in Motivation Other Limited Resources (e.g., education) Other Limited Resources (e.g., education)

Alternate Solutions DRUG ADMINSTRATION (e.g., Amphetamines) DRUG ADMINSTRATION (e.g., Amphetamines) Adverse Psychological Effect/Damage Adverse Psychological Effect/Damage Possibly Addictive (Dependency) Possibly Addictive (Dependency) PERSONAL TRAINER/THERAPIST PERSONAL TRAINER/THERAPIST Expensive (Cost Factor) Expensive (Cost Factor) Lack of Independent Motivation Lack of Independent Motivation

Solution Incorporate an amount of physical aerobic activity into video play + Incorporate ‘leg-activated’ commands instead of ‘finger-activated’ + Independent Exercise + Patient can remain sedentary + Aid in improving patient health and moral ________________________________________ = EXER-STATION

MODEL of EXER-STATION

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

AIMS 1 hour of Exer-Station = 20 minute Brisk Walk 20 minute Brisk Walk 3 minute Sprint Approximately 150 Calories!

MARKET POTENTIAL Ages 8+ Ages 8+ Hospital Patients Hospital Patients Obese Individuals Obese Individuals Individuals concerned about fitness Individuals concerned about fitness General Video Game Audience General Video Game Audience

TIME CHART DecemberJanuaryFebruaryMarchApril Preliminary research Extensive research Feedback Design Prototype Testing

ADVISORS ADVISORS Paul H. King, PhD., P.E.: Paul H. King, PhD., P.E.: -Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Vanderbilt. -Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Vanderbilt. -Associate Professor of Anesthesiology at Vanderbilt. -Instructor of the senior Biomedical Engineering design course at Vanderbilt. Marshall Summar, M.D.: Marshall Summar, M.D.: -Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Vanderbilt. -Associate Professor of Molecular 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

BUDGET $400 Initial Budget (from Dr. Summar) $400 Initial Budget (from Dr. Summar) Playstation II Console ($200) Playstation II Console ($200) Multiple Controllers ($75) Multiple Controllers ($75) Three Games ($150) Three Games ($150) Additional $600 Requested Additional $600 Requested Leg Activated Elements Leg Activated Elements Bicycle Wheel Bicycle Wheel Wires Wires LEDs LEDs Chips Chips Brake Pads/Brakes Brake Pads/Brakes Circuit Board Circuit Board Decorative Design/ Aesthetics Decorative Design/ Aesthetics Miscellaneous Miscellaneous

w/ Exer-station w/ Exer-station