Thanks to near constant onslaught of new technology—from ultra-small computers and garage band video games to Wii—today’s users are falling victim to a completely new set of gadget-induced injuries. A 2006 study done in the United Kingdom found that nearly half of all computer users have experienced some kind of computer-related injury and users between eighteen and twenty-four reported even higher injury rates (70 percent!). It appears these injuries aren’t just a pitfall for techies anymore—home and casual users are also afflicted with a slew of problems related to their tech habits. Maybe I’m paranoid it’ll happen to me, or maybe I just have a really strange sense of humor, but I took a closer look at today’s technology-related injuries … and how to avoid them.
The Wii Factor
True: Wii does have a health advantage over traditional video games because it sometimes requires us to get off the couch and wiggle around. Also true: encouraging people who have spent the majority of their lives on the couch to wiggle around has (not surprisingly) caused some problems for otherwise sedentary bodies. Since coming out in 2006, users of Nintendo’s latest gaming system have been falling victim to what can only be described as sports injuries. I kid you not. Turns out hours of waving the little white Wii controller around can cause some serious aches and pains that were previously reserved for gym rats and tennis players. In November 2006, the Wall Street Journal actually reported on “Wii elbow,” a then-growing phenomenon where players would wake up with numb arms, sore shoulders, and painful elbows. As I checked out some gaming sites in search of these injury sufferers, it looked like the Journal was on to something—many of the users I chatted with experienced muscle strain after Wii-ing, and one even ended up with a pulled groin.
There are even sites dedicated to players that have ended up on the wrong end of the controller. WiiHaveAProblem.com lets visitors post and comment on photos of Wii damages. I only recommend checking it out if you’re into looking at close-ups of bruises, cuts, and swollen limbs. Okay, okay, I have partaken in a little Wii recently (hey, my sister got it for Christmas) and yes, my hand ended up a little sore after an intense session on the guitar. Don’t judge.
