Title: A Brand New Sense: the use of movement sonification by older adults for physical activity
Funder: Economic and Social Research Council

Abstract: The Catalyst Award sets out to find out how a system of movement sonification can be turned into a sustainable product that offers older adults a novel form of physical activity, which creates opportunities for self expression as well as the possibility of exercising with friends and/or family members. The aim is to explore how the emergent practice of movement sonification can be packaged into a product that encourages physical activity and fits with the lifestyle, values and priorities of older adults. Movement sonification involves the synchronous production of sound and movement through digital devices. The project will follow an iterative design process involving end-users and stakeholders in a series of workshops, interviews and focus groups in order to meet the following objectives: -Develop a rich sound library that appeals to the music tastes of users of diverse backgrounds and ages. -Gauge the IT literacy of different end-users and accordingly create an intuitive user interface that renders the system accessible and user-friendly to older adults specifically. -Create functionalities that enable the use of the product in pairs or in groups. -Add functionalities for generating health data, e.g. duration and speed of movement. -Explore different routes to market that include: 1. A combined system, whereby mobile phones and Arduino sensors serve as the sensor and a computer operates the control interface. It is envisaged that this solution will be suitable for institutions and health and arts practitioners, but will also be tested with end-users. 2. A mobile phone application, that integrates the sensor and the interface in one device. This will be aimed at end-users.

Lay abstract: A Brand New Sense (BraNeS) aims to create a digital tool that makes movement fun and aids creative expression and intergenerational exchange within the user's home setting and/or community environments. Just like anyone else, when they exercise, old people experience important health benefits. They are able to move better, accomplish daily and routine tasks easier and experience a positive shift in their mood. However, a major challenge is how to get people to become active in a way that they enjoy. Research has shown that a combination of movement and music is enjoyable, and people are more likely to adhere to exercise programmes that involve music. Studies have also shown that the social dimension of physical activity is an important factor of enjoyment. BraNeS explores the use of movement sonification as a form of physical activity that combines creative expression and social interaction. Movement sonification is the synchronous production of sound and movement through a digital device. It is an emerging practice which, on the on hand, is spreading within youth and music subcultures through new products aimed at primarily young audiences. It is also being tested within health and clinical settings for the treatment of health conditions and/or the improvement of physical performance. Through developing an existing prototype, BraNeS capitalises on this trend, in order to develop an intuitive, affordable and accessible tool that can be used in the user's living environment and increase mobility, aid creative expression and encourage intergenerational social interaction.

Research activity codes: 3.1 PRIMARY PREVENTION INTERVENTIONS TO MODIFY BEHAVIOURS OR PROMOTE WELL-BEING
Health categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE