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

  • Dreamlancer

    Posted Dec 9, 2006 1:31 am PT

    Stop making fun of us fat people you crazy Americans.

  • corruptionofmin

    Posted Dec 9, 2006 12:30 am PT

    Okay to all the people blaming the obese of "being so fat that they can't even swing a controller arounds for hours on end." need to think a little more. Yes, fat will slow you down but the biggest issue is people who are weak. If you lack muscle you'll get tired.

  • MartinMan

    Posted Dec 8, 2006 5:54 pm PT

    Geez... this country is full of fat lazy people so this doesn't surprise me lol

  • TheProphecied1

    Posted Dec 8, 2006 5:38 pm PT

    LOL! LOL!LOL!LOL!LOL!LOL!LOL!LOL! that is all i can say to the lard butts

  • Poison_Me_Rum

    Posted Dec 7, 2006 11:55 pm PT

    That just makes me chuckle.

  • zeldredz

    Posted Dec 7, 2006 10:27 pm PT

    Every one is so lazy and so fat. If you are so pathetically out of shape that wii playing hurts you then you deserve the pain. And after oner week of playing your flabby arms mignt even tone up a bit. LMAO

  • GundamBlue

    Posted Dec 7, 2006 10:00 pm PT

    Man when i first got my wii i played the hell out of bass balll and bowling andfor some odd reason i loved the pains it helped out my arm a lot...my shoulders ached but i didn't stop playing...I love that i get sore after playing a vvideo game it helps me realize that how much i get into the game and soo i wont hurt at all...

  • jomofle

    Posted Dec 7, 2006 6:44 pm PT

    Pffffff.......Americans.........;-)

  • Ghetto_ninja

    Posted Dec 7, 2006 5:50 pm PT

    I think everyone that played boxing the first time was sweating lmao

  • Elduque21

    Posted Dec 7, 2006 5:44 pm PT

    I'm sure if you go to the local Gym you'll find these exact same symptoms after someone works out. Funny out video games might potentially be America's saving grace from obesity.

  • Darth-Revan45

    Posted Dec 7, 2006 5:29 pm PT

    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."

    How long was he playing the game, I will wait untill I know that to laugh at the lard cake.

  • Cloud14356

    Posted Dec 7, 2006 5:14 pm PT

    Wow what whiny babies! Perrin Kaplan,..... nice -_^

  • stiker71

    Posted Dec 7, 2006 3:32 pm PT

    Wow some people really arnt in shape.....

  • BraindeadRacr

    Posted Dec 7, 2006 2:37 pm PT

    What the hell

  • redwan1985

    Posted Dec 7, 2006 2:13 pm PT

    Seems like NIntendo nuts are desperate to prove that the Wii's extensive physical requirements are really gamers' lack of physical ability. More Nintendo propaganda.

  • xS3phir0thx

    Posted Dec 7, 2006 1:17 pm PT

    lmfao...

  • Darth-Revan45

    Posted Dec 7, 2006 12:02 pm PT

    You lazy nerds, get off the couch and do some jumping jacks damn it!

  • king_of_Yoshis

    Posted Dec 7, 2006 8:41 am PT

    Well, this might be a good thing really. It's like the greatest fitness measurer ever!

  • JN_Fenrir

    Posted Dec 7, 2006 2:43 am PT

    Sounds like the greatest exercise program ever invented if you ask me. Just strap on some weights and get training:

    Abs + forearms: Bowling
    Upper back + shoulders: Boxing
    Biceps + triceps: Need For Speed
    Full arm: Fishing (Zelda)
    Abs + core: Swordfighting (Red Steel)
    Cardio: Tennis

    Hey, just because you play Madden doesn't mean you have to look like the fat bastard. :-D

  • azriaris

    Posted Dec 6, 2006 8:58 pm PT

    they must be playing very hardddd

  • rwgober92

    Posted Dec 6, 2006 8:20 pm PT

    wow....i cant believe these guys are hurting after lifting a .5 lb controller for a while....sad....very sad

  • RE4manonline

    Posted Dec 6, 2006 7:57 pm PT

    How can u get worn out on a video game

  • brianurlacher

    Posted Dec 6, 2006 6:39 pm PT

    HALO 3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Also if you get sore and soaked in sweat from moving a 1/4 pound controller you are a pathetic excuse for a man.

  • Bob11

    Posted Dec 6, 2006 6:29 pm PT

    Wait for the gamecube version lol.

  • Th0rr30

    Posted Dec 6, 2006 4:17 pm PT

    GET TO DA CHOOPPA!!! You Wii Pansies with the " Wii elbow". This is really funny, but the Wii revolution has gotten people off their buts and finally take a look at them selves and say, hey I need to work out. I already saw this comming a mile away, it reminds me of the first time I ever picked an Atari Joystick or the first time I played Quake using a mouse and keyboard all the aches and pain. With every new evolution of how we control and play our games we use different muscles, and will feel pain. As we say in the Gym... No PAIN... No GAIN!!! All I have to say is keep on playing the Wii it is fun, and keeps you active =).

  • samusme2

    Posted Dec 6, 2006 4:01 pm PT

    im with u kid_bonfire. if playing the wii makes u feel sore than ur a wimp that cant take a little pain.

  • Rager363

    Posted Dec 6, 2006 1:48 pm PT

    I agree Lemonfighter, glad to know I wasn't the only one who got blisters on my hand from rowing that stupid boat down the river in Mario Party

  • lemonfighter

    Posted Dec 6, 2006 1:41 pm PT

    "exercise??? hahahaha this is even funnier than people imprinting the analog stick grooves in their hands from Mario Party minigames"
    LOL, me and a bunch of my friends got serious blisters on our hands from winding up that damn shy guy....its so funny.

  • dsuser12345

    Posted Dec 6, 2006 1:17 pm PT

    only people looking for attention would complain about this
    the wii isn't that physical to begin with

  • Kid_Bonfire

    Posted Dec 6, 2006 8:20 am PT

    Who ever complains of 'Wii Elbow' is just weak. Plain and simple.

  • fartys

    Posted Dec 6, 2006 5:45 am PT

    Haven't got the wii yet unfortunately, but by the sounds of things most people who are experiencing injuries are probably lazy, attention seekers or just big blubbering cry babies!

  • Dreamlancer

    Posted Dec 6, 2006 5:32 am PT

    I hate the Wii, I got sore and soaked in sweat so I returned it.

  • rugripper40

    Posted Dec 5, 2006 11:12 pm PT

    lmao@snap...and as always...lmfao@fat and happy laying on the couch with the 360...lmfao

    thanks moepain4u.....you made my day with that comment...im still laughing about it...hehe

  • vhold

    Posted Dec 5, 2006 10:46 pm PT

    I've actually made my elbow a little sore from playing Wii tennis. I personally chalk it up to using too much "snap" in my swings and not enough real follow through.

  • sinceps1

    Posted Dec 5, 2006 10:40 pm PT

    darkfox101
    "i think ur jealous bonik? hahaha"

    Lol. THAT is all that need be said.

  • igl

    Posted Dec 5, 2006 10:35 pm PT

    just like wan.. ah nevermind kids.

    Tomorrow Gamespot will have news about analysts saying playing wii makes you blind.

  • sinceps1

    Posted Dec 5, 2006 10:34 pm PT

    to liquid raiden- to lose weight?

  • diggyman

    Posted Dec 5, 2006 9:13 pm PT

    funny, I WISH I COULD have tennis elbow. I can't find a &@^# Wii anywhere. Well they're on ebay, sure, but I ain't crazy enough to pay that much. I'll be patient to be a patient... lol.

  • Liquid_Raiden

    Posted Dec 5, 2006 7:44 pm PT

    I've had one since the second day of release and it hasn't tired me out. I mean seriously, if you know the wii is going to wear you out, and you know your going to have to move around alot, why would you buy it?

  • masterdeath31

    Posted Dec 5, 2006 6:06 pm PT

    hahahahah soo funny get off your ass an work out if you get "hot and sweaty" from playing wii

  • Texas69

    Posted Dec 5, 2006 4:03 pm PT

    lol

  • rugripper40

    Posted Dec 5, 2006 3:39 pm PT

    lmao@fat and happy laying on the coach with a 360...lmfao

  • Taker0003

    Posted Dec 5, 2006 3:17 pm PT

    Hmm seems like Nintendo need something like a "fitness channel" to get lazy kids ready for the wii gameplay or some exercise game for them

  • GimmieThatGun

    Posted Dec 5, 2006 2:43 pm PT

    OH NO!!!! MY ELBOW!!!!!! I'm a ten year old who is 250 pounds.IM SUEING NINTENDO FOR MAKING ME SUFFER SOOOOO MUCH!!!!!! (Dramatic obeise 10 year old)

  • moepain4u

    Posted Dec 5, 2006 2:39 pm PT

    I smell lawsuits coming, they better have put a warning on box that if you are out of shape, have heart problem, pregnant or other ailments do not use this controller. They should have made an option to use regular controller since they say it's for everyone. But the controller is great idea, but I'll keep my fat arse on the couch playing 360.

  • quiglythegreat

    Posted Dec 5, 2006 1:03 pm PT

    This doesn't surprise me at all. I recall once buying a tennis simulation game and swinging the raquet made my arm pretty sore. That's what happens when you move any of your limbs against nothing.

  • Limonadi

    Posted Dec 5, 2006 12:32 pm PT

    Oh God. Are we Americans So lazy that we can't move around a little without throwing a fit about it? I bet there are fewer of these complaints in Japan. IF YOU ARE MOVING AROUND,YOU ARE GOING TO SWEAT AND MAYBE GET A LITTLE SORE! AAAAHHHHHHGGGGGGG. This pisses me of

  • Supperdude9

    Posted Dec 5, 2006 11:51 am PT

    Yeah and isn't the rule that after 1 hour play, you are supposed to take 15 minutes rest? It's in the frickin' manual, isn't it?

  • rugripper40

    Posted Dec 5, 2006 10:20 am PT

    exactly my friend,playing real guitar hurts...lol...but the point is that the wii isnt for everyone as nintendo was trying to make it...the wii is more of a toy for healthy young kids or teens...full of energy...most gamers cant be bothered with that nonsense....im surprised the maker of the wii didnt fall over during the tennis match during e3...lol...sports arnt for everyone.there are many other problems in this world other then overweight issues but on any other platform there are no problems like these......i think nintendo really made a monster and as it gets later in time you might see weird law suits stating the wii hurt them and there wasnt any notices on the side of the box as you see with all exercise equipment....dosnt matter what health your in to play on any other game machine,unless you dont have arms but then you cant play anything ,right????...cheers

  • noelveiga

    Posted Dec 5, 2006 7:49 am PT

    So if you wave your arms around for hours on end they hurt.

    Mmmm... breaking news that isn't. Guitar Hero hurts, Donkey Konga hurts, Eye Toy Play hurts and DDR hurts a lot. Get used to it. Play one hour or two at a time, have some rest, play something else.

    What did scare me is how rough my wrists felt after playing for just fifteen minutes with the original Nintendo DS. It was just too heavy to hold in one hand while you scribbled furiously with the other.

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