Towards a visual representation of the effects of reduced muscle strength in older adults: New insights and applications for design and healthcare

Abstract

This paper details the evaluation of human modelling software, which provides visual access to dynamic biomechanical data on older adult mobility to a new audience of professionals and lay people without training in biomechanics. An overview of the process of creating the visualisation software is provided, including a discussion of the benefits over existing approaches. The qualitative evaluation method, which included a series of interviews and focus groups held with older adults, and healthcare and design professionals, is discussed together with key findings. The findings are illustrated with examples of new dialogues about specific mobility issues impacting on healthcare and design planning which were facilitated by the data visualisations. © 2009 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.