Marina Barros

Exergames: the role of ergonomics and design in helping to control childhood obesity through physical and functional exercise program

In the area of the design and physiotherapy, the using of virtual technologies for immersion of users are spreading. And this affirmation extends to several areas of knowledge. In games, the quote is, resources are being used to work cognitive skills, attention, memory, among other factors beside the children. Currently, at the expense of usability, low cost, virtual technologies of perception and interaction, as Nintendo Wii, X-Box 360, among others, arises therefore a new class of games called Exergames, which is the union of physical activity the game. This fact gives users the development of sensory and motor skills through virtual reality mechanisms suitable for certain needs. This literature review aimed to provide an overview of the current context of Exergames, especially in use for controlling childhood obesity, which is growing alarmingly, with some features, applications and possibilities for use at the design and other areas such as physiotherapy.

Design as a Tool for Managing Risks and Vulnerabilities Regarding Artifacts of Public Safety

It is on man’s interaction with the environment, taking into account all objects whether or not they are natural that design is focused. However, the relationship between the quantity and quality of what is produced and the creative processes of design do not always bring about the responses that the end user wants. This paper puts forward a proposal for designing a tool that may contribute to design methodologies for evaluating the safety of artifacts the use of which are restricted in the activity of Law Enforcement by Managing their Risks and Vulnerabilities. The paper sets out to include the knowledge of an expert in this subject area who is working on the risks and vulnerabilities that are present so as to obtain the most appropriate artifact possible for the demand proposed. The process of making such artifacts adequate and selecting them is permeated by such a large number of factors that they can only be matched, in amount, to the number of possible combinations between pieces of a chessboard. Hence the importance of producing a scale of values by using a rational and practical tool.

Ergonomic evaluation of usability with users: application of the technique of cooperative evaluation

This paper presents the application of a cooperative evaluation, technical evaluation performed ergonomic usability with users in the Learning Management Systens (LMS) used at the Instituto Federal de Pernambuco (IFPE). The data collected in the assessments were analyzed with users from Nielsen usability heuristics. The results showed that the environment has evaluated a large number of usability problems.

The design in the development of exergames: a new game for the contribute to control childhood obesity

Obesity is increasing alarmingly worldwide, especially in childrens audience, due to the adoption of sedentary habits. The exergames are a new class of digital games that have arisen over the possible use of technology, low cost, to unite physical activity to video games such as Nintendo Wii, X-Box 360, among others. And these have been gaining ground due to immersion of users, working their cognitive skills, attention and memory. This study presents a new game, the PEGGO developed by Federal University of Pernambuco, with data supporting the use for this type of game in order to contribute to help control childhood obesity.

The methodological involvement of the emotional design and cognitive ergonomics as a tool in the development of children products

To demonstrate the relationship between design and emotional development for kids, this article offers an initial approach about the definition and historical aspects of emotion in product development, citing the main authors of this issue. Based the field research conducted with children from 2 to 6 years of age, was also describes the basic ideas of Piaget in the child psychology and pre-operational stage (age group studied) and the significance of childrens toys from the perspective of Vigostsky. Using this theoretical framework and results of field research, we can infer some emotional design as advocated by the producers of positive affect on humans and its relationship with the childs development and choices of their toys.

Management of Public Safety Artifacts Through Design

The relationship between quantity and quality of what is produced and its creative processes do not always bring the desired responses for the end user. The objective of this work is to develop a project tool that can contribute in design methodologies for safety assessment of artifacts for restricted use in the activity of Public Safety through Risk Management and Vulnerability. Sought the insertion of the knowledge of an expert in the subject area working the risks and vulnerabilities present to get an artifact the best possible demand draft. Hence the importance of producing a range of values through a rational and practical tool.

The role of usability in the evaluation of accidents: human error or design flaw?

This article aims to highlight the role of consumer products companies in the heart and the extent of accidents involving these types of products, and as such undesired events take part as an agent in influencing decision making for the purchase of a product that nature on the part of consumers and users. The article demonstrates, by reference, interviews and case studies such as the development of poorly designed products and design errors of design can influence the usage behavior of users, thus leading to accidents, and also negatively affect the next image of a company. The full explanation of these types of questions aims to raise awareness, plan on a reliable usability, users and consumers in general about the safe use of consumer products, and also safeguard their rights before a legal system of consumer protection, even far away by the CDC--Code of Consumer Protection.