Wii: Friend or Foe

So, you finally got that Wii console system that you've been wanting since it first came out.  Congratulations, you're on your way to fun, enjoyment, good times, and possible permanent tendon damage.  That's right!  Your favorite gaming system is out to get you.

Dr. Julio Bonis, of the Instituto Municipal de Investigation Medica in Barcelona, Spain, was the person who first diagnosed Wii-itis in the New England Journal of Medicine.  Wii-itis is a repetitive movement illness, which is caused by games that require sudden repetitive movements such as tennis, baseball, golf, and running games.

Symptoms of this illness include sore elbows, shoulders, and/or knees.  The cure is as simple as taking a week break from using the Wii complemented by a week's worth of ibuprofen.  However, if the symptoms of Wii-itis are ignored it will lead to permanent tendon damage.

It is important to warm up before playing games that will require sudden repetitive movement.  Stretching, as you would before any normal exercising, can help prevent Wii-itis just as it helps prevent tendinitis.  So make sure to take your time before jumping into that Wii tennis game and remember to take breaks.  Ideally, you want to play games that require repetitive movements for no more than two hours at one time.  This is especially true if your disability includes extreme fatigue.

AbleGamers wants to remind you to play responsibly.

Comments (1)

Lee

March 06, 2009

Votes: +0

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I have had Wi-titis, from preparing for a Wii tennis tournament.

It hurt so badly, I woke up in the middle of the night, thought I was having a heart attack.

Sure enough, one week off, it went away.

My kids don't get it, just me.

It is a most serious affliction, but totally goes away (for me.)

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