Differences in the dynamic balance function of healthy elementary school students and university students observed with and without the use of a sensor-integrated gamification application.

The study was cross-sectional and measured only immediate test performance, so it cannot show long-term training effects or causality. Participants were healthy elementary and university students, not patients receiving rehabilitation. The standard test was always done before the sensor game, so learning or fatigue could have affected the comparison. 8 of 87 recruited participants were excluded because sensor malfunction prevented completion. The authors noted possible bias from equipment support provided by Digireha Inc., the company that makes the application. The scores were higher than in previous studies, and the authors say racial differences and exercise habits may matter, so results may not generalise.

Financial support was received for the research and/or publication from NEDO and JSPS KAKENHI. The authors also stated that potential bias could have occurred because equipment support was provided by Digireha Inc.

Do not read the lower posterolateral score as evidence that the game improves balance. The study measured immediate test performance in healthy students and did not test training effects.