Being a serious gamer takes dedication, and a lot of practice if you want to be any good. Whether one is striving to be an all round gaming legend, or a specialist in the field of portable Pokémon training, the health hazards are real. MyGaming has taken a look at some of the common afflictions gamers suffer from, and working our way from top to bottom, perhaps we can forestall any harm befalling our beloved readers by dispensing some advice.
Eyes
Staring at a screen for hours on end won’t do much good for vision in the long term and the resultant eye strain is a real headache. In serious cases, individuals may realise all too late that they are prone to photosensitive seizures.
You can always finish Final Fantasy XII tomorrow…
Remedy: Good ambient lighting is an essential for a gaming den – avoid direct harsh lighting that shines into eyes. Playing while tired is not wise as this places extra strain on eye muscles. The common guideline is to take a 15 minute break every hour, and don’t fight sleep.
Neck
Neck ache, stiffness and bad posture are common afflictions among gamers who might find themselves seated in less than ideal conditions. Whilst console and PC gamers suffer no end from neck-ache, the hand-held gamers subject themselves to a particularly devastating regimen of bent necks for hours at a time. This particular affliction is also common among the LAN folk, who often wind up perched wherever space permits.
We admire the dedication, but cringe at the spinal deformation
Remedy: A uniform requirement among console and PC gamers alike is a high-backed chair which offers good support, with adjustment capabilities a bonus. The chair should be positioned to prevent bending, twisting and movement of head and shoulders. Make sure the space around you is clear so as not to constrict your movement (perhaps the LANners should clear away the empty fast food and soda containers from their play areas once in a while).
Shoulders
Gaming related inflammation of the shoulder is such a common injury that Spanish doctor Julio Bonis published an article on the subject in the New England
Journal of Medicine, coining the term ‘Wiiitis.’ The good doctor noted that the injury is most common among Wii owners who tend to play games which require repetitive upper body movement.
The instant Wiiitis strikes, captured on camera
Remedy: Adopting a new stance and play style every so often will prevent strain from repetitive muscle movement. Regular breaks are also highly recommended. Incidentally, the Wiimote doesn’t require particularly energetic motions, but one can be forgiven for getting carried away.
Wrists/Hands
Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) and its diabolical cousin, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) have long been game killers. Initially dubbed ‘Space Invader’s wrist’ in the early 80’s, these ailments have become the bane of gamers around the globe. RSI occurs in the muscles and tendons of the forearms and wrists but is generally not isolated to a specific area.
CTS occurs when the repeated small muscle and tendon movements cause an inflammation around the median nerve which runs through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. CTS can become quite serious if ignored, resulting in pain, numbness and loss of sensation and mobility in the hand.
If your hand looks like this, seek medical attention
Remedy: Hold your controller in a relaxed fashion and practice a similar light touch with control strokes. An iron-grip and severe button mashing will tire your wrists and hands very quickly. Remember to take frequent breaks to stretch your hands and exercise some wrist movement. This can be done during cut-scenes to minimise impact on game time. When using a mouse and keyboard, keep your hand, wrist and forearm in line, and preferably resting horizontal to the desk and floor.
Joints
Certain segments of the video game market have moved away from their couch potato roots and are now trying to flaunt physical activity as a selling point. For those adventurous and willing to take part in these body-active games there is a whole new level of danger. Several incidents of joint injury, such as torn cartilage and twisted ankles, have occurred among players of active sports simulation games and dancing games.
A typical Wii balance board injury
Remedy: If you are about to engage in a particularly gruelling DDR dance off, or are perhaps trying to shed a few ounces through Wii Fit, then it is advisable to limber up beforehand. A few stretching exercises can go a long way to preventing an embarrassing e-Sports injury.
Skin
Video gamers are an evolving breed, and so are the health issues that accompany us. Aside from the usual hygiene problems, a new skin disorder related to video game controllers was identified in 2009. Palmar hidradenitis occurs due to extended periods of gripping a controller. The combination of sweat and hand trauma can result in lesions on the palms and fingers and long term damage to the skin on the hands if ignored.
A particularly severe case of WASD fingers
Remedy: Wash your hands frequently, especially if you are suffering from sweaty palms during gaming. Sharing sweaty controllers among friends should be avoided. The all important frequent break can be used as an ideal hand cleansing moment, with the added bonus of relief from controller related hand trauma.
We hope these simple tips prove useful, and keep you fit for more game time!
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