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Wii Sports Cause Real Injuries

Treat it like real exercise: docs

By Ambreen Ali, Newser User

Posted Jun 17, 2009 4:10 PM CDT

(Newser) – Nintendo Wii players may find themselves saddled with the same sprains and fractures that haunt athletes, often because they don't treat the virtual games like real sports, doctors tell the Washington Times. Sprains are the most common injury because Wii Sports don't provide the same resistance that actual tennis, bowling, baseball, golf, and boxing do, which typically prevents joints from being overextended.

Among the scarier cases was a woman whose brain began bleeding when she fell while using Wii Fit to do yoga and aerobics. "You have to regard them as sports and be serious about things like warm-up, cool-down, and expectations," says an orthopedic surgeon. Doctors also recommend getting a physical evaluation before starting, and even consulting a trainer or coach.

[Images (2)]

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Wii sporting games don't provide the same resistance as real sports, sometimes causing sprains and other injuries. (AP Photo/Electronic Arts)

Doctors recommend warming up and cooling down as with any other exercise. (AP Photo/Ric Francis)

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The video game doesn't give you that immediate feedback that a trainer would give you, like 'This is the correct way to lift, straighten your back.' - Sunil Madan,
Washington Hospital Center

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Wii Sports Cause Real Injuries