The Risks of Being a “Video Game Junkie”

Weekend Warrior vs. Nintendo

WARNING: The Surgeon General has yet to determine that video games are detrimental to your health…but don’t be surprised if they do.

There has been an interesting phenomenon sweeping the nation that I was apparently unaware of until recently. Injuries related to middle-aged individuals hooked on video games are on the rise.

Back in November of 2006, Nintendo set out to attract a new generation of fans by changing the way games were played.  The Wii was launched with much fan fare outselling its rivals by a very large number.

I vaguely remember that day and thought to myself, “I guess a lot of kids really like that kind of stuff.” 

Little did I know, but it turns out that the “kid,” is an average, middle-aged, hard working soccer mom and dad living in suburbia.

What’s better: Tennis, Bowling, Baseball…or a video game?

 The more I looked into this, the more I was amazed.  This game wasn’t the old “sit on your sofa” and mindlessly use your thumb and index finger to move a cursor across a small screen.  These consoles came with motion-sensitive controls that required the participant to get on their feet and do something.

Now, the thought of a game that keeps people active sounds like a good idea to me…but what do I know?  This game has been updated a number of times since 2006 and I’m just hearing about its problems now.

Sports and girls were all I ever thought of when I was a kid.  Video games were not part of my childhood. So, I guess that’s why I don’t have much of an interest in them today.  

My idea of a good time was being out in the fresh air, swinging the bat, kicking a ball or shooting some hoops.  It was incredibly much more enjoyable for me to spend time on the local playground and beat the snot out of the neighbor’s kid in any of these sports then to park my butt in front of a video.

Well, judging from the medical reports from emergency rooms and orthopedics all across the country, many others feel differently. Sadly, there are just a lot of people out there that want to play video games and they use that as a substitute for doing physically strenuous work.

Careful, you could put your eye out.

Neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain, elbow pain, knee pain…if you have a body part, this game will find it and destroy whatever resemblance of normalcy you had before you started. Who would have thought that there was such a potential for injury above and beyond the basic blister?

Orthopedics and insurance companies  are having good seasons year after  year, treating all the assorted bumps and bruises that are a result of the weekend warrior’s pathetic attempt at “being active”.

Right now, Nintendo is producing 2.4 million Wiis a month!!!  Starting costs range between $250.00 – $450.00.  Add in a few thousand dollars for medical treatment and increased insurance rates and you’ll need a salary like the pro athletes just to keep up!

It gets even better.  Wii has been making headlines lately trying to enter the fitness market.  A new product called Wii Fit has already sold over a million copies.

They profess to provide users with real workout routines.  This product is will feature over 40 exercises and activities designed to help improve balance and fitness.  And video game advocates are promoting this to be a substitute for the real thing when you can‘t get outside and do it

What a load of crap!!!

I can’t wait until they come out with a “virtual” bench press.

As you can see, I’m not a huge fan of video games, but if this is a sign of the future, I will be tossing my TV out the window.

Nothing is better than the real thing period!

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