We’ve joked about Wii injuries and accidents here in the past. But, seriously, you can actually get hurt playing and it is something that you should be aware of. The Nintendo Wii has become one of the most popular gaming systems, due to the variety of active games it offers. Unfortunately, with the popularity of the system comes the possibility of overuse. If you own one, you might want to be aware of Wii injuries.

How are injuries received?

Injuries can occur whenever you’re active. If you run, and fail to stretch first, you can receive shin splints, sprains, strains, or tendonitis. Even if you’ve been active all your life and run regularly, you can still be injured.

In most cases, injuries from Wii use occur because of similar reasons. Either a person is not normally active, or they’ve failed to warm up prior to use. They could strain a muscle by moving the wrong way, develop tennis elbow from overuse, or be injured due to a fall.

What types of injuries can you expect to see? Here are some of the most common ones:

• Cuts
• Bruises
• Knee injuries
• Eye strain
• Fractures
• Rotator cuff injuries
• Sprains
• Seizures
• Stroke
• Heart attacks in extreme cases

Of course, if you read and follow the instructions in the Wii Safety Manual, your chance of injury is lessened.

Who is affected most?

It seems there is no age limit for those who receive injuries. The amount of time one spends playing the Wii will determine the possibility of and extent of injury. Young or old, male or female – injuries can happen in any walk of life. Level of fitness may not prevent injuries; even professional athletes have received injuries while playing the Wii.

What can you do about it?

Limiting play time is one way to help you avoid injury. Properly using the straps on the controllers will keep the controllers from slipping from your hand while in use, even if that won’t keep you from being injured.

Remember your reason for purchasing the Wii. It encourages users to become more active. It is unlikely that any injuries would be any more severe than normal sports injuries after a week of being sedentary, or what a child would receive in a game in the backyard with friends.

One thing everyone should do before playing is take into consideration how active you have been. Try not to do too much, stretch before beginning play (much like you would when playing a non-Wii sport), and try to be careful.

It is possible to have fun playing the Wii and avoid injury. You can be aware of Wii injuries and do your best to avoid them. Read the owner’s manual and follow their express directions. Don’t forget you bought the Wii to have fun, but be careful in the process to avoid being hurt.