i.play outdoors

New hi-tech play equipment is set to revolutionise outdoor play for the ‘Playstation generation.’

Finding news ways to engage children has never been so important with one in four children in the UK already overweight or obese. Therefore, the inventors of i.play believe that fast-paced feedback and constantly changing goals of electronic gaming hold the key to children enjoying challenging physical activity without realising how hard they are working.
 
Progressive Sports Technologies (Progressive), a spin out company from Loughborough University, were approached by UK play equipment manufacturer Playdale to develop a new piece of equipment to encourage energetic play, which quickly evolved into a concept that taps into the enduring popularity of computer gaming.
 
In a game of up to six children, i.play issues each player or team with a sequence of tasks to test speed, agility, coordination, strength and stamina by running, jumping and twisting to hit the high, low and mid-positioned activity switches.
 
Like a games console, it offers multiple levels of difficulty so players can improve their skill and view statistics to monitor their performance both during and after the game.

Healthier lifestyles 

Barry Leahey, director of Playdale said: “The leisure industry is aware of how important it is to promote a healthier lifestyle for kids, but finding initiatives that have a real impact on children’s behaviour – particularly their exercise levels – is a real challenge.
 
“Competitive sport tends to nurture only first team players, which inevitably means some kids feel left out. Next generation equipment like i.play is both competitive and inclusive. It puts the fun back into fitness for a nation of children weaned on TV and videogames.”
 
Children can upload their scores to the online league table at http://www.intelligentplay.co.uk/.
 
Although developed for a core 8-14 age group, i.play is also suitable for adults, wheelchair users as well as visually and hearing impaired players.
 
Progressive is pleased with the feedback already received from children using the product.

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