Remember the days when video games were just a move of the thumb with no form of exercise. Things sure have changed in the video game industry. The invention of the Nintendo Wii has brought fun and exercise together. What types of gamers buy gaming systems such as the Wii and is the Wii a safe fade or is it something that will cause long term side effects to its users?
First let’s look at what types of gamers there are and what types of people the Wii is designed for. Based on an article by Chris Kohler, the first type of gamer is the “hardcore gamer”. This type of gamer is someone who is into video games no matter what kind of gaming system it is. They enjoy video game systems before they become popular to the rest of the world. Next is the “casual gamer”. The casual gamer is someone who thinks video games are great but do not own very many of them. They don’t play often but when they do it is for hours. There is the “expanded audience”. These are the people that are being targeted by Nintendo to purchase the Wii system. This targeting is done through games for all ages. The final gaming category is “kids”. Like young adults kids also enjoy gaming. Companies like Nintendo target this demographic with games that feature their favorite cartoon characters.
With such a wide range of people playing on the Wii system the question is does it have a long term effects on the physical health of these gamers? The New England Journal of Medicine (2007) stated that, “a healthy 29-year-old medical resident awoke one Sunday morning with intense pain in the right shoulder. He did not recall any recent injuries or trauma and had not participated in any sports or physical exercise recently. He consulted a rheumatology colleague. The Patte's test was positive, consistent with acute tendonitis isolated to the right infraspinatus”. So as it goes with everything too much of a good thing can be bad. Enjoy your Wii gaming but enjoy it in moderation to prevent injury to your tendons.
References
Kohler, C. (2007). The "Wii bubble" and the four types of gamers. Retrieved January 9, 2009. from,http://blog.wired.com/games/2007/06/opinion_the_wii.html
The New England Journal of Medicine (2007). Acute Wiiitis. Retrieved January 10, 2009. from,http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/short/356/23/2431
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This is interesting and one that I may print out for my family. We are recently new Wii owner’s. I think you are right on the money with the newest popular culture artifact. As a matter of fact, it is probably just the beginning in a whole new culture all of its own. The facts about the tendonitis are very interesting as well. I will say, though, this game can be played just as easy in a good old-fashioned sitting position. Maybe there is hope yet. :)
ReplyDeleteI thought the Wii introduction of exercise software for a gaming system was a very intelligent marketing move. I myself have never played the Wii, but it seems to be a fun way to get some exercise into your life. I have purchased other gaming systems for my four daughters over the years. They would play from time to time, but never seemed to be "hardcore" gamers. It sounds like from your post that might be a good idea since they could eventually sustain injuries.
ReplyDeleteGood post Amber. I too am an avid Wii fan. My favorite is Mario Cart. When I first started playing, I could feel the strain in my hands and shoulders from getting used to the new controller. Nintendo has come up with some interesting attachments which can be used with the controllers for specific actions, like a better gripping sleeve for tennis and baseball, a steering wheel for driving, and a gunstock for shooting games. Those items really help to alleviate wii-itis(my terminology), a form of arthritis associated with video games. If anyone needs to know what I want for my birthday, just go to the gamestore and pick up a few Wii items for me please.
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