Nearly half of the children in the Netherlands do not engage in enough physical activity. For children with chronic diseases, maintaining an active lifestyle is even more crucial, as it significantly improves their overall health and helps prevent complications of their disease. This project aims to explore how smart digital technology (e.g., wearable fitness trackers, mobile applications, and sensor-based systems) can create innovative ways to monitor, motivate, and enhance daily physical activity for children with chronic diseases in a home setting.

By integrating insights from diverse stakeholders (e.g., families of children with chronic disease, healthcare professionals) and multiple disciplines (e.g., family sociology, health psychology, industrial design), we will investigate how to effectively use technology to empower not only the children but also their families and broader support networks. Initially, we will focus on children with congenital heart defects, who often face greater physical and mental barriers to participating in sports and exercise. Subsequently, we will expand our approach to benefit children with other chronic conditions. Our ultimate goal is to create a smart, adaptive digital platform that supports children with chronic diseases and their parents in achieving an active, healthy lifestyle.