Gamers beware. Using the Nintendo Wii console may be dangerous to your health. According to several reports, Nintendo Wii injuries that include pulled muscles, broken bones, and lacerations are on the rise with gamers.
You will probably either sympathize or laugh at this story coming from the console gaming community. According to The Wall Street Journal (subscription required), gamers are finding that the new Nintendo Wii can be a real pain in the neck… back, shoulder, elbow, wrist, etc.
Reports Of Nintendo Wii Injuries And “Wii Elbow”
In case you are unfamiliar with the Nintendo Wii, the controller it comes with is a wireless, motion-sensitive wand-like device. Gamers wave the controller around in the air and depending on the type of game they are playing. The Nintendo Wii controller can be anything from a sword, gun, tennis racket, or even a steering wheel.
SEE ALSO: Nintendo Wii Nunchuck Controller
However, since the Nintendo Wii console debuted in mid-November, gamers are complaining of aching backs, sore shoulders, and even something now called “Wii elbow.”
Here are a couple of WSJ quotes from Nintendo Wii owners:
Blaine Stuart of Rochester, New York, mistakenly whacked his fiancee, Shelly Haefele, while playing tennis and also accidentally hit his dog while bowling despite the message Nintendo flashes up on the screen before each game which says: “Make sure there are no people or objects around you that you might bump into while playing.”
Ryan Mercer, a customs broker in Indianapolis, lifts weights several times a week. But that hasn’t helped much with the Wii. After playing the boxing game for an hour and a half, his arms, shoulders and torso were aching. “I was soaking wet with sweat, head to toe — I had to go take a shower,” he says. And the next morning? “I had trouble putting my shirt on,” says the 21-year-old avid gamer.
Doctor’s Advice: Stretch Out Before Playing Games To Avoid Nintendo Wii Injuries
So what do the doctors think about all of these reports of Nintendo Wii injuries? Lana Kang, an orthopedic hand surgeon, had this piece of advice, “It’s just like athletic play… Stretch out and be sure to take care of any injuries afterward.”
With the rate of obese children skyrocketing worldwide, you’d think people would be congratulating Nintendo for combining gaming and exercise, not complaining. Oh well. Grab another giant hamburger and fries and wait for the next generation of gaming consoles to come out. Maybe they’ll feature ‘mind control ‘ so you don’t even have to lift a finger to play.
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