The Bubble Drum Project – An innovative exercise concept

With the advent of technology, people are fast loosing out on the relevance of exercise. This has given rise to a new set of illnesses dubbed the lifestyle disorders. Now and then, new products keep coming in the market for helping keep these disorders at bay. But then, they have their cons too. Recently Jay Alan Jackson, an information technology professor at the Rochester Institute of Technology and a lifelong drummer has come up with an innovative exercise game. Called the Bubble Drum project, this game is known to provide a vigorous workout while you play the drums.

bubble drum exercise concept

The Bubble Drum Project, an exercise concept has been entirely made up of rubber exercise balls each of varying sizes. These emit sounds and yield only a bit when struck by the hand, stick or the foot pedal. The intensity with which the Velcro attached balls are hit as well as its direction is recorded via the accelerometers of iPods attached to this assembly. In any case, the sound thus generated is so mild that a regular drum kit’s sound seems quite loud as compared to this project. Neither is it problematic to the wrists, as inflexible drum kits usually are. The result therefore is an exercise concept that is likely to cause no harm when you work-out.

Referred to as a "playable abstract sculpture" by Jackson himself, the Information Technology professor likens the workout got from his Bubble Drum kit as being equivalent to any routine play such as shooting hoops or throwing a Frisbee. However, considering the uniqueness of his project, Jackson has been invited to present his work at the Games for Health conference scheduled to be held in Boston, U.S. That this conference is exclusively related to discussing the efficiency of exer-games such as of the types developed by Jackson, his innovation stands a good chance in being quantifiably gauged for the improvement in cardiovascular health and physical strength its usage can result in.

Other than designing this exer-game, Jackson has also been involved in designing an iPhone app – Impulsive Pillow Pilates LE which directs a person’s movements on a balance training board as he listens to his music. No doubt, in Jackson we have a professor who is really working on successfully marrying technology into day to day life, especially for human well-being.

Via: Boston