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Videogame Injuries - The Ugly Truth

Posted by simoniker on from the impaled-on-kempston dept.

Thanks to the BBC for their article discussing the problems of injuries sustained while playing videogames. The author discusses the "definite physical element" to some gaming, commenting in relation to F-Zero GX: "Those [real-life] finger tendons and neck muscles can suffer when your game of choice involves efforts to overtake a craft travelling at 1,400kph." He also discusses stranger problems: "Possibly the most bizarre games-related condition that has been reported is Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (Havs), something previously recognised in operators of jackhammers, but now increasingly associated with joypad vibration." What terrible injuries related to gaming have you sustained?

5 of 113 comments (clear)

  1. 1400kph? by Random832 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    "Those [real-life] finger tendons and neck muscles can suffer when your game of choice involves efforts to overtake a craft travelling at 1,400kph."

    because we all know the speed number on the screen has such a huge influence on how much stress we put on our hands

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  2. Eyes by eviljolly · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I definitely think that the largest physical harm from video games is done to your eyes. I know that looking at computer monitors set at 60hz definitely can cause some eye strain, and in my case, even some vision problems. I can't say that 100% of my bad eyesight has come from computer monitors and tv screens, but I feel it definitely has had a negative impact on my vision. I'm at the point now where many types of contacts are not available to me because of the strength of my perscription. Bad vision runs in my family, but nobody's is as bad as mine. Since I have started using 85hz or more on my monitors, I have noticed my eyesight has stopped getting worse, and I don't get headaches from those 12 hour gaming sessions. Am I the only one who has noticed that refresh rates have a large impact on eye strain?

    1. Re:Eyes by calebtucker · · Score: 3, Interesting

      I can't stand to look at a 60hHz monitor for 10 sec. Heck, I can even see the flicker at 85Hz if I look at the screen with the corner of my eye. 100Hz is treating me well, though.

      I really do think sitting in front of a monitor has affected my vision. I have to wear glasses to drive now.. I can't see well at a distance, but I can see perfectly fine about 1-3 feet in front of me :)

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  3. lack of sleep by incubusnb · · Score: 3, Interesting
    i'd have to say that the only physical injury i've ever sustained through gaming would be getting hit by a car

    seriously, after work on a Friday i started playing Gran Turismo 3 and decided i was gonna get 100% by the end of the weekend, thus requiring that i not sleep... at all. Sadly, i only made it to about 75%, but while walking to work Monday morning i kinda passed out and walked onto the street, its a good thing the driver slowed down cuz it only knocked me off my feet and gave me a slight concussion from my head hitting the pavement, plus i got 3 payed days off work.

    but nonetheless, the injury was Gaming related in a way

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  4. Solutions by ReyTFox · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I used to encounter some wrist strain after long hours mousing around in CS or other FPS games...

    Three things solved that:

    1. I got a trackball(a very good one, the Kensington "Expert Mouse") and switch between the two devices regularly. Since I use a different hand for each one my strain is cut in half.

    2. While I was at home my typical computing pose was to lie on my bed with the keyboard and mouse at the same level, which caused much elbow brusing after doing it for 8 hours or so. Now I'm at college and I actually sit in a chair like most people.

    3. After starting on some regular weight training, I think I've built up my forearms/wrists enough so that mousing isn't difficult on them. I've heard studies say that it also improves the reflexes... (not sure about that one yet)

    I also used to have some eyestrain, even with the monitor on 75hz. Now I have an LCD and I can stare at it all I like without ill effects. It's a huge benefit, and with this one at least, I've never encountered trouble with blurring while playing FPS games - by the time objects move fast enough to blur with this one, they're moving at only slightly below my own visual limits, so it's never been a problem.