WSJ: First cases of "Wii Elbow" reported

Aerobic activity with motion-sensing controller causing aches, pains; Nintendo urges exercise to counteract.

Nintendo is seeking to lead the charge against the notion that all gamers are unfit couch potatoes. Nationwide sellouts of the Wii indicate that gamers are supporting that notion, and many have been very vocal about the system's motion-sensitive controller as being a revolution in gaming. The problem is that it appears that after the first week of the console's release, many of those gamers are running out of breath.

The Wall Street Journal says that "Wii elbow" and other Wii-related physical issues may be the first widespread gaming-related injuries since "Nintendo thumb," the condition that ran rampant following the introduction of the NES in the '80s and the SNES in the '90s.

The newspaper spoke with several new Wii owners who were experiencing aches and pains from repeated use of the console. A 12-year-old from Kentucky reported numbness in her right arm after mimicking the motions of bowling and boxing in Wii Sports; a computer programmer in Minnesota, who admits to being "not very active," complained of sore shoulders; and a man in Indiana says he was "soaking wet with sweat, head to toe" after Wii Boxing.

Nintendo vice president of marketing Perrin Kaplan put it plainly. "[The Wii] was not meant to be a Jenny Craig supplement," she told the WSJ. "If people are finding themselves sore, they may need to exercise more."

1513 Comments

  • icstars2

    Posted Jan 22, 2007 6:51 am PT

    you only need to move your arms

  • DarkGnome55

    Posted Dec 22, 2006 2:38 pm PT

    hahahah fat@ss is gettin tired movin his arms so he complains.... go check out weight watchers then get ur wii >.

  • Tigerman950

    Posted Dec 19, 2006 6:25 pm PT

    Lol fat gamers everywhere will be ticked.....

  • Ryo-Hazuki

    Posted Dec 18, 2006 10:28 am PT

    they dont need to put their whole body into the game to be tired.
    regarding the story itself, nintendo is very good with public relations: something goes wrong with their strategy? insult your costumers!
    Very wise.

  • BurningMice

    Posted Dec 15, 2006 5:41 pm PT

    They dont need to put their whole body into the game

  • darfvader

    Posted Dec 15, 2006 12:24 am PT

    only in the US. People trying to shake every ounce of responsebility from themselves: you're fat not because of you but because of a certain food company, you're addicted to ciggartes which COME WITH A WARNING THAT THEY ARE ADDICTIVE AND DANGEROUS not because of you but because of the evil cigarette companies...

  • togo2828

    Posted Dec 14, 2006 8:39 pm PT

    Look People need to get Some more excersise when your playing a game and you get tired, and Hadicap people will just rotate the controller......So yeah People STOP GETTING FAT, and if your born big then im sorry for that but my Big Friends play and they dont hurt or get Tired

  • stephandj

    Posted Dec 14, 2006 4:51 pm PT

    people are forgeting that there are people who are handicaped ad can`t play the wii,example:if you are playing wario ware smooth moves and you try to play the hula hoop mimi game,so what do you do,go ask nintendo about this

  • Valmier

    Posted Dec 14, 2006 10:55 am PT

    Really, I find this whole thing ridiculous. "Oh no! My arm's getting tired because I've been moving it around playing the most ammazing gaming revolution to date!" Seriously. Number 1, does that mean it's not fun? The Wii and the stuff I got with it all amounted to about $450, and it's the best $450 I've ever spent. Number 2, you're moving your arms around frantically in boxing and tennis and the like. Your arm got sore? Imagine that? Who'd have thunk it? Sore from movement? It's called exercixe. Get used to it. I have yet to hear an outdoorsman complain about the physical stress his hobby puts on him, so don't be doing the same thing with your games!

  • GuchFairy

    Posted Dec 14, 2006 9:56 am PT

    I guess they left out the fact that nintendo has screens that suggests you to take a break.

  • Misfit1119

    Posted Dec 14, 2006 12:50 am PT

    It has nothing to with being in shape, it has to do with getting too into a game. Sure, I know that I only have to flick my wrist, but give me enough time and Im flailing my arms playing tennis or actually moving around as I bowl. It doesnt matter how active or lazy you are, a drawn out game of tennis best of five can lead to a sore arm.

  • eldude007

    Posted Dec 13, 2006 10:34 pm PT

    This means that the Wii will shape Americans into shape. The boxing game is really fun and at times you do get tired out, but does not matter it still fun. I am very active and I have no complains, thus far. In conclusion, stop being fat get out and do something.

  • SuperSonic223

    Posted Dec 13, 2006 9:28 pm PT

    People exagerate the movements so much. Sure it is fun to get into the game more but you can still be a couch patato playing Wii games. I know I never got tired after playing hours and hours of Zelda and some Wii Sports.

  • roll450

    Posted Dec 13, 2006 4:50 pm PT

    sell it and im buying one

  • 00joshua

    Posted Dec 13, 2006 3:40 pm PT

    You shouldn't have to exercise to play games... that's why I'm never getting a Wii. I play DDR when I want to move around while playing a game. Wii games won't help you exercise though, they just tire out your arms from what I've heard,

  • yugimasa9999

    Posted Dec 13, 2006 11:16 am PT

    Ulol

  • killuminati4181

    Posted Dec 13, 2006 6:00 am PT

    lol

  • Fusion_Master

    Posted Dec 12, 2006 11:34 pm PT

    So people are buying it to get fit apparantly :0

  • MultimediaJay

    Posted Dec 12, 2006 8:01 pm PT

    ROFL. People are bellyaching over getting tennis elbow from the Wii-mote. Hahahahahahaha. Maybe Nintendo should make a Wii version of the Power Pad. :-)

  • brownthrilla

    Posted Dec 12, 2006 7:00 pm PT

    Umm...at least you're getting a work out.

  • Sidrat2004

    Posted Dec 12, 2006 6:06 pm PT

    I vote for Controllers of various weights, that'll sort the men from the boys.

    Just like Bowling balls in fact, you can pick the weight you feel comfortable with (swinging something too light can be just as dangerous as swinging something too heavy), and let swing.

    Oh I want a Wii.

  • crosscountrycpj

    Posted Dec 12, 2006 4:29 pm PT

    Yeah, I think that some people are confused. Soreness and sweating are what happens when you exercise, but of course, you would have to exercise in order to know that....

  • AgostonF

    Posted Dec 12, 2006 3:18 pm PT

    My god.. Don't blame your lazy arses on Nintendo..

  • gatsbythepig

    Posted Dec 12, 2006 2:48 pm PT

    physical challenge

  • sk8ordie778

    Posted Dec 12, 2006 1:43 pm PT

    Finally all the fat f***s will get some needed excercise, Nintendo is leading the way on the war on obesity

  • shaggydoo29

    Posted Dec 12, 2006 12:36 pm PT

    I agree with Dterry89.. there SHOULD be an exercise game for the Wii... it would be the perfect system for it. When I first got my Wii, I did feel a bit sore after the first couple of days of using it extensively, but now I guess I am "broke in" with it. Personally, I think we have been long overdue for a system like the Wii. I am highly interested in seeing what other innovations that they can come up with for this system!

  • DTerry89

    Posted Dec 12, 2006 12:08 pm PT

    they should come out with an excerise wii game lol. It should be able to recognize time too so you could be on time with your excersises lol. it would be the end of the fat gamer person lol

  • BradW92

    Posted Dec 12, 2006 11:27 am PT

    ...you could look at it as a revoloution in weight loss?

  • Fascolik

    Posted Dec 12, 2006 4:24 am PT

    LOL... omg Perrin Kaplan is soo **** nice!!!! lllol...

  • ninja929

    Posted Dec 12, 2006 2:32 am PT

    I agree with you pokeracc. People are going to get sore regardless because a player is repeating the same actions over and over for the period that one plays the game. If it really starts to hurt, maybe you should see a doctor, or maybe just work out more.

  • pokeracc

    Posted Dec 11, 2006 7:19 pm PT

    Doesn't matter if your fat guys if you go through the motion of throwing a baseball etc then its gonna be sore, same as if you do it with a real baseball. But these ppl are blowing it way out of proportion. (cant wait till someone sues nintendo for "injuries" suffered playing the wii)

  • SGTNAPALM

    Posted Dec 11, 2006 2:22 pm PT

    i am excited for the open style of gaming. i have an eyetoy, and i love the workout it sometimes gives me.

  • Dreamlancer

    Posted Dec 11, 2006 8:57 am PT

    I want to be lazy and sit and play games. Is that so wrong? Why should a dumb game console make me do it?

  • Tigerman950

    Posted Dec 11, 2006 5:50 am PT

    Finally, a good way to convince lazy gamers everywhere to get their butts off the couch and exercise for once; saying that not all gamers are lazy.

  • a336061

    Posted Dec 10, 2006 11:23 pm PT

    Learn how to play a game and quit crying

  • BMXer_wannabe_2

    Posted Dec 10, 2006 8:41 pm PT

    I don't see how this applies to fat people. You know some people are just too stupid and are probably swinging these light controlers a little too hard. Which can throw your arms out. Like trying to throw a baseball really hard that isn't even there. This can cause problems. Get a freakin clue here.

  • isthisnametakn

    Posted Dec 10, 2006 8:06 pm PT

    Meh. I'm usually jumpin up and down and pacing about win I play Halo Live anyway. I play games to relax. I ride my bike to stay fit.

  • pbcnoob

    Posted Dec 10, 2006 8:53 am PT

    well this is great news. all those obese people will learn wats soon to come if they dont smarten up. great job intendo !

  • ZERO201

    Posted Dec 10, 2006 7:30 am PT

    LOL haaaa hhahaha. that is so funny

  • washburnwi14

    Posted Dec 10, 2006 6:32 am PT

    yea the wii is genius it get people active and away from the cabinet

    and if ur getting sore and 'soaking wet with sweat" by playing the wii, then you know you need to get outside and do stuff

  • brodywacker

    Posted Dec 10, 2006 2:11 am PT

    lol

  • Chief_Kuuni

    Posted Dec 9, 2006 8:07 pm PT

    nothing wrong with a little excersize in your life

  • DarkArtemis

    Posted Dec 9, 2006 6:42 pm PT

    The closest thing, I have seen, to Wii Elbow is when I whacked my boyfriend in the elbow while playing Wii Tennis.

    Then I proceeded to hit my brother in the forehead in the same game.

    Maybe I should stick with bowling.

  • mrbuu666

    Posted Dec 9, 2006 5:22 pm PT

    I think it's great that people are getting sore, tired, and exhausted because of the fact that they are playing this game system.
    Because It's just one step closer to beating obesity around the world.

  • newoldrenegade

    Posted Dec 9, 2006 3:44 pm PT

    hey dreamlancer i agree with you...fat people need to get up thier fat ass stop playing WOW and do somthing.

  • bullhed

    Posted Dec 9, 2006 11:23 am PT

    I don't care if you're fat or not, the constant repetitive motion of the controller is definitely going to get tiresome. Just move your arm around without a controller constantly, your arm is going to get tired. Unless of course you play tennis, box or swordfight all the time that is.

  • Josh_345

    Posted Dec 9, 2006 11:22 am PT

    Well, lest some gamers are getting exercise. And could allow them to live longer. Or is that a bad thing :/

  • mikado01

    Posted Dec 9, 2006 8:59 am PT

    I am 5'6 and a 110 pounds, and i tend to get sore playing Tennis. It has nothing to do with the weight of the controller. It has everything to do with the motion. The first time i played boxing i went for four hours straight., and it burned like hell. The burning is good! Thats means that you are getting fit! I totaly got wii elbow from tennis, but i think its cause i play too long : )

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