Personally i think its obvious that anyone unused to exercise is going to discover aches and pains after playing the Wii for a few hours. People are very quick to come out and blame the manufacturer or the marketing, but surely anyone with common sense will stop when they begin to feel the pressure? Sure,its merely a games console but it does provide a limited form of exercise. Anyone I know who has injured themselves from playing the Wii has admitted they overdid it. I think the main problem is people become too absorbed in the game, and unlike real sports there are no time restraints to ensure they break fom their exertions. Most people I know who play certainly wouldn't go out and play tennis for two hours without a break, yet find themselves getting carried away and doing in on the Wii. There is no point in blaming a games console for what is esentially carelessness and thoughtlessness on the players part

Sarah Gorman, Wicklow, Ireland

The contradiction of complaining that the Wii is not real exercise, and then complaining that people do not treat it as real exercise and therefore pick up injuries strikes me as nit-picking. I think these 'experts' need to face the reality that if this is what it takes to get kids exercising these days then it surely cannot be a negative.

Tom Arnold, Solihull, England

These people are crazy. complaining about exercise! no wonder why america is the fattest country in the world every single thing thats healthy for you is attacked by some news source as being bad for. No pain no gain is what my family always tells me

Nathan, Bismarck, North Dakota

This article is spewing unsubstantiated scare-mongering nonsense. Any one who knows anything about computer games would be well aware of the various excruciating cramps and squints that arise from over-using more traditional consoles. Every serious gamer of my generation remembers (and regrets) at least one 6 hour + gaming session witch inevitably ended in headaches and twitching muscles. The Wii is not designed to be a virtual weight machine - reletively gentle movements have sufficient results. Injuries arise becouse people become over excited or because they play too long - problems that have occured with all computer games. It is simply down to the players to be responsible about how they play. If you make a stupid mistake and injure yourself during a game of tennis, who should you sue?

Olli, London,

I think the Wii is a great way to get kids into sports. As a child who hated PE because my teachers forced us to run outside in the cold, I can understand how the majority of children today hate outside activity.

Nintendo have never once claimed that this is a great way to lose weight. The Wii is good because it creates an interest in sports which are athletic and can encourage kids to get involved.

For example, in the tennis game, it teaches you the rules of how to play. The side effects, which can include a bit of arm ache, could also be good - it could be used as a way to teach children that stretching before and after exercise is vital.

I think that part of the attraction with the Wii is that it is still a computer. But at least it does encourage kids to get active - games on the PS2 hardly do the same!

E Gibson, York,

The problem is simply that for any form of repetitive brusque movement required for a game, sport, exercise, Wii included, you must warm your muscles up. A Warm-Up.

And then, practice the movements, a few times, slowly, get the gist of them. Isometrics in a nutshell.

It's like bodybuilding.

At first, you start easy, with very light weights and you practice the proper movement of the weight exercise, ensuring your body doesn't get hurt, so that you are in control. Once your movement is controlled, you add more weights.

This process takes a few weeks. But it's all about Isomettrics.

The bottom line is, for any Wii games that require somewhat a lot of physical movements, make sure you've done some warm-ups and make sure you've practice the moves first.

The warm-up ensures blood flow to the muscle, thus making it more flexible and thus avoiding injuries.

Common Sense.. :)

Claude Gautheir, Chapleau, Ontario, canada

Wow I there would be more support on this article but yes it's true the Wii isn't a exercise device it"s a GAMES CONSOLE and also big movements ARE NOT required to play the games. Simple gestures work perfectly, and it's people who can't read the instruction booklet who get hurt.

Albert G., El Paso,

I don't ever recall Nintendo claiming they have created an excersice device, in any way. They have used the words "innovative" and "revolutionary" but only in regards to gaming itself. They aimed to break the lets-make-games-more-powerful-mentality with lets-make-games-fun, not to create an exercise device. This seems like a lazy attempt at scare tactics by a journalist who failed to even research the product in question.

Rest assured I shall be complaining to the Times for my recent paper cuts and lack of excerice from reading said paper.

Kyle Patterson, Londonderry, UK

Ah, the inevitable lawsuit clock is ticking - someone somewhere is going to sue Nintendo for some form of damages, if they havn't already. This article is written to appeal to those who can't take responsibility for their actions. If you're overweight, cut down the snacks. If you're unfit, exercise. If you like playing Nintendo, play Nintendo. It takes creativity for something like the Wii to be made, lets not marr its creation by overindulging those whose preferred form of entertainment is blaming everyone else for their own problems.

Oh, and one other thing - to play Wii sports Tennis its better to be GENTLE!!!!

Andy, Middlesbrough, UK

I really do wish journalists and politicians would stop villifying video games and video games consoles. It's such an old and tired excuse to blame everything in the world on the video game culture, and this frankly is a tactic used by out of touch politicians who want to find an easy scapegoat for failed laws. It's clear the journalist who wrote this hasn't touched a WII console, at least not for more than 5 minutes, resulting in a poorly written, poorly researched article.

Stop jumping on the anti-gaming bandwagon. You're only showing up yourselves.

Kim, England,

Caroline from Frome. I did check, hence my question, but thanks to your advice I shall continue check further. Not a correction merely a question.

Tessa, Bristol, Avon

Oh dear. This is just plain shoddy journalism, trying to make a story where there isn't one. How disappointing from the Times. Seems the Wii is damned if it does and damned if it doesn't in this "journalist's" eyes -- one minute the Wii is an evil machine that causes kids to over-exert themselves, the next minute it's a sham because kids ought to be exerting themselves MORE.

And the point about just going out and playing real tennis is ridiculous. The only time I get to play Wii tennis is when it's dark -- I don't have time to go to a tennis club, I don't have a court in my backyard, and I don't have a pool of friends on standby for any time I might be able to fit in 20 minutes of tennis. The Wii allows me to get exercise I simply wouldn't otherwise get. Sure, it's not as good as "real" tennis, but it's certainly better than nothing -- which is realistically the alternative.

J. Paul Dyson, Huddersfield, United Kingdom

Er, it's a computer game and nothing more. Theres a reason you will find it in HMV sold by some geeky 16 year old, rather than at JJB sports.

Unless you had a computer game that had a real racket, a real tennis ball and a real court (Tennis match against Sharapova anyone?) it just should not be considered as anything more than it is.

The console does have a slightly positive side effect due to its innovation which means children do some light exercise, but lets just carry on slagging computer game as always and appreciate the creativity that went into a new way of computer gaming. Really... Bravo

And as for injuries - surely one is more at risk from injury at work, at the gym, getting our of bed, etc. One of the many problems of modern human existence I suppose.

Mangal D, Bombay,

People who hve injured themselves are idiots, I have played on mine and provided you use the strap (as you are constantly reminded to) then nothing gets broken. And if you can injure yourself playing virtual tennis then I hate to think what you'd do if you played it for real! All in all, it's a computer game, and so does not compare to real exercise, but it is significantly better than the other console options out there for actually gaining some form of exercise.

Andy, Reading,

Obviously the "journalist" who wrote this article takes issue with computer games, even if people claim that it gets fat kids off their behind. The journalist, based on the article, has also not studied wii use by fat kids. I can tell you from watching my friends play the system, it doesn't take long to figure out which motions will be read by the system and could still be done from the comfort of your favorite couch spot. The first day my friends got the golf game i came over and we played 36 holes of golf. The next morning we were all sore, when i went there that afternoon, they had figured out how to play it while sitting down, and get perfect swings each time. So good luck if you can convince your kids that the ONLY way to play the wii games is by mimicking the actualy movements. The rest of us will live in the real world and accept that its another video game. If you cannot regulate your child's detachment from reality, you are not the one in charge, your child is.

Doug, Cincinnati, Ohio, US

Wait, so to protect kids from muscle aches and 'wii elbow' on the wii, we have them play real tennis instead which NEVER gives sore muscles or 'tennis elbow' (*cough*) do I understand correctly?

Patrick, San Jose, CA

As Ricardo Said, it constantly warns you to follow their health and safety guidelines, suggesting that you take a break every few minutes. It even forces you to see this on startup, asking you to press "A" to continue underneath a short Health warning.
These people have clearly not gotten the idea of health and safety.
That girl who dislocated her knee? DON'T PLAY IT IN INAPPROPRIATE FOOTWEAR! Simple as that! You can't POSSIBLY blame Nintendo for people's stupidity, that's like blaming the FA if a football player gets injured during a match.

Point made.

Kit, Newlyn, Cornwall

Sorry this article is ridiculous. I totally agree with post #1

Felipe, Perth, Australia

Much of this article is quite exaggerated. Most of the aches and soreness people feel is from being active again after being couch (or computer) potatoes.

In fact, though it isn't as fun, one can sit down and play all of the games above. The sensor doesn't check to see if you're standing, only if the motions were made. Wii Sports Tennis is mentioned above and that you have to wind up your shot. This is completely inaccurate. You can stand, or sit, and still make all of the motions to play well.

This article is nothing more than an attempt to gain readership by making broad claims that could be true in a small sampling of people, but making it appear as it will affect the majority of players.

Jacob, Grand Forks, United States

Tessa from Brisol, I suggest you check the dictionary before writing comments to correct grammar in articles. Sidewards is perfectly acceptable.

Caroline, Frome , Somerset

I'm sorry but complaining that you wrist hurts after playing on the infernal "Wii" is absurd. The nature of the beast is such that after waving you limbs about in a jolly manner for hours on end you are bound to feel tired maybe even, God forbid, a little ache. I'm surprised Nitendo isn't drowning in insurance quotes from fat 11 year olds who became out of breath whilst playing virtual boxing. Grow up.

Jon, Manchester, UK

i agree with the majority of posters here, in that nintendo didnt deliberately market this as a keep fit console. it can be used sparingly, and if you are a parent then it is your responsibility to make sure your children do not play for too long. a few people mentioned the many in-game splash screens that ask you to take a break, stay away from anything you may hit etc but nobody seems to have mentioned the exhaustive warning "booklet" that you get with the machine. this is not just a simple disclaimer but at least 10 pages long and mentions all sorts of ways to combat injuries whilst playing.

however i think the most salient point was made by Luke Walker-Mitchell, above, kids today are being told they are not allowed to be outside with their friends through fear of an asbo or because there is nowhere for them to go or nothing for them to do.

Aaron, hull,

— backwards, forwards, side-wards and up —

side-wards? sideways surely?

Tessa, Bristol, Avon

I'm surprised no one has mentioned that Wii Sports actually WARNS YOU that you have been playing too long and you should take a rest.
If you don't follow advice then you deserve to be injured, only way you will learn.

Ricardo Gallardo, London,

Hahaha, a pre-Wii warm up! Whatever next, finger-flexes before using the Internet? Advice on how to best avoid paper-cuts while reading?

Sophie Routledge, Birmingham, UK

What is the fuss all about , just be sensible and don't use the game console willy lilly!

Wing , Poole, UK

I can do nothing but agree with the previous posters (Carson, Tim, FresnoBob and Jason), and add one more thing about the craziness of people apparently losing their grip on the controller, another common complaint I've read about.

My girlfriend is very enthusiastic and energetic when she's playing games on our Wii, and has never lost her grip. Even if one *was* to lose their grip, there's a wrist-strap to avoid flying controller syndrome. Finally, if one finds that the controller has a tendency to slip, there are silicone rubber grippy covers available!

As ever, where a problem exists some enterprising soul will be there to try and make profit out of it. Some provide tools to help prevent it, others start looking for who to sue...

Matt Sach, London, UK

If I played real tennis with inappropriate footwear I'm sure I would be injured! What's the difference? Will you write an article about my local leisure centre and how I twisted my ankle?

DB, Hartlepool, UK

I believe the author has somewhat exaggerated the physical effort required to play the Wii. One hours play of tennis on the wii would be around five minutes play of the real game!

Stuart, Belfast,

A SCOTTISH fitness trainer – who is the first UK professional fitness coach to offer the Nintendo Wii as an exercise class – has hit out at reports of the Wii not being good for exercise.

Zander Urquhart, 32, from Lanarkshire has hit back saying: “any exercise is good and these people should stop being so Victorian and snobby.”

The fitness coach, from Lanarkshire said: “This article cites people saying that it would be great if children just put down the computer controller and go play tennis.

“That would be great except for two things: not everyone has access to tennis courts, golf courses or the other facilities in Wii Sports.

“Secondly, it is incredibly Victorian to suggest that children don’t play computer games. They do, we have to accept that and they will continue to do so. But if we can bring an element of exercise into it then that at least makes it a little better."

Craig McGill, Glasgow,

I agree with the person who said ban bikes and skates etc...
I would like to add school sponsored sports. During track, basketball, cheerleading, football, softball, baseball, soccer or any other seasonal sport kids play in school one does not have to look far to see a teenager limping around wearing a knee brace from some sports related injury. People sometimes suffer lifelong pain from "an old football injury". Why don't all the whiny parents take responsibility for bringing up their own children and quit trying to tell others how to raise their's? I am so sick of hearing about the "obesity epidemic" and it's relation to video games. I am mother in a stable two parent household of gamers; the ones where you sit and press buttons for hours and hours on end. Obesity is caused by (imagine this) EATING TO MUCH FAT. Ya'll need to keep quiet and MIND YOUR OWN BUSINES!!. (how long has it been since you heard that formerly popular saying in the U.S ?)

Elizabeth, small town USA, Ohio

I would like to say something about the Nintendo rep's comment “if people are finding themselves sore, they may need to exercise more”. I beg to differ! I am a yoga teacher who, besides yoga, works out 4-5 times per week including cardio and daily arm weight training. I played the Wii for several hours this past weekend and loved it, but my right arm and shoulder have been sore for 3 days. I don't think any amount of "exercising more" could have prevented the soreness that comes from this type of repetitive motion. I think the Wii is a great game and I will be more careful next time I play. I think it is inappropriate for the Nintendo spokespeople to assume that soreness is the fault an out of shape user when clearly this is not true.

Keri Brewer, Nashville, TN

I find this article unbelieveable and I am glad that the comments reflect this. As it's already been said, Nintendo has NEVER marketed the Wii as an exercise tool - the smallest amount of research into the subject would reveal that it is merely presented as a totally new way of playing games.

'Blaming' the Wii for injuries is typical of today's culture: it's always someone else's fault. If you are mornic enough to play for 6 hours straight without a rest, then you have to live with the consequences. Nintendo advises that you should rest every 15 minutes, so what else can it do?

The only problem with the Wii is that it's too much fun and publicity like this will only serve to increase the demand.

Oliver, London, England

Its sad that little mention was givin to the fact that there are still two next gen consoles that dont encourage fitness and activity. Why not give the kid a tennis racquet? Why not toss out the aerobics video or the tread mill...both encourge fitness at the expense of going outside do they not? Both bring your focus to the electronic and not to the natural. Both let you stay in a more comfortable envoirnment while you make the choice to be active and not passive. "Indeed, the game was not meant to be an alternative to the gym"..yes INDEED..And Wii elbow? The people that suffer this tragic fate should praise the heavens something coaxed them into motion before musclar degeneration set in. And to the girl that couldnt hold grip on an object that weights probably less that two pounds and to the good guy that smacked his dog AND GIRLFRIEND?! well lets just pray you didnt toss your cards in yet and your hand-eye coordination skills somehow benefit from the generous gift to you that is Wii.

Adam, South, USA

Your kidding with this article right??? Did you even play the Wii??? Time and time again the system itself tells you that you should take a break and play outside. As for injuries, don't you get injured playing outside as well? Let's interpret the BCA Comment...They said: “Any unaccustomed exercise or activity lays you bare to problems that could occur from prolonged periods of active movement." What they mean is that you should live in a bubble and watch TV for hours on end so you don't get hurt. Isn't that the downside of this article?

Next thing you know they'll blame video games for all of the worlds major shootings and teenage pregnancies...oh wait...

Doug White, Philadelphia, PA

I totally agree with Scoobysi. What can kids do? If they were out on the street they would get complaints aswell. Might as well prepare them for a career sitting in front of a computer by educating them about hardware and software in fun way!

GS, Telford, Shropshire

Wouldn't this article apply to anything we would wish to do for two hours a day?
You will get injuries doing anything in such excess. Would we as parents let our children play real sports nonstop for six hours? Of course not!
It is our responsibility to watch our kids and give them limits, it’s like that with everything.
As far as bumping each other and accidentally breaking things, Be careful! Be smart about where you play . Again we wouldn’t play tennis in a crowded living room.

It’s not that hard to figure out…. Let’s not try to make it that way.

Noel, Houston, Texas

I agree with Scoobysi, except that I do criticize those who sit around listening to music or watching tv for hours. Parents complained about their kids sitting on the couch playing video games for hours and of course they would probably be snacking at the same time. Then when Nintendo decides to make the games physically interactive they still complain. Maybe Nintendo should put a warning at the beginning of each game a recommending a warm-up before starting a game. Most people know this already, but just to avoid more complaints or even some idiotic law suits, the warnings would be helpful.
Parents should limit the amount of time their children play these games, or maybe they could make it a family activity so that both parents and kids get more than just a workout. As for people breaking things while playing, the makers of Wii could come up with something that would help avoid that situation, like a hand strap or a glove controller instead.

C Drymon, North Port, FL/USA

Like all computers you are indoors, set up a system outside and let the family play, you are then not embarrasing you kids by making them compete with better students, you can encourage them to learn a sport and then be the 'better' ones, seems quite logical really.

Clare, B reuil Barret, France

Video games alone will not make your kids fat; everything in moderation. I have been playing Nintendo games for almost 20 years now and I'm one of the healthiest people I know. In fact some games are a source of inspiration for people. Capcom's "Street Fighter" series has kept me interested in martial arts which I have practiced for a decade!

Luke Kelleher, Seattle, Washington

I would also advise banning bicycles and skates... the children could run into poles, parked cars or even incoming traffic! Not to mention too much of it and they could have sore legs.

Christian Meunier, Montreal, Canada

As ever, you can't save stupid people from themselves. The same idiots injuring themselves using a wii, are the same idiots that 'd be injuring themselves outside if they weren't playing it.

And the 'critics' who say that Nintendo should be ploughing its money into paying for sports, do seem to have mistaken a commercial business for a government funded charity.

Hugh, London,

The Wii is not marketed as an exercise machine, it is marketed as a games console meant to entertain you. Get your facts right before you start writing rubbish like this,

Sam, Leicester,

I agree with Jason, I own a Wii myself, and I find it thoroughly enjoyable to play Tennis on it (especially seeing as you can get 4 people playing in a room, even if one of them has lost both of their legs) This makes the Wii more open and accesible to people of all ages and physical abilities/disabilities. And I'll repeat what Jason has said, the Wii is not dubbed an excersize machine, the controllers motion sensors are there to immerse the player into the game, which it succeeds in a very effective way.

Rob Leggatt, Worthing, England

Good Lord.

Honestly.

At least the damn thing encourages some sort of exercise for kids,(of all ages). Who in their right minds would let a child play a console for six hours straight anyway?

Mothergoose, Sligo, Ireland

I have to agree with the people who say Nintendo never intended to market the console as a weight loosing device, but the fact people have been loosing weight they mention is a positive result. Nintendo originally had the idea of a wand like controller to simplify the playing style of what has become an overcomplicated video game market, that only hard core gamers can exist in. The wiimote is a simple device that Nintendo envisioned would lure in the mass market, and so far they have been right.

With technology, movies, and such people will always look for aways to make the technology seem flawed, as people like to read about the problems with things they have bought or might be interested in. Remember how people always go on about wrist pains when using a computer, eye strain when reading a book, leg muscle problems when playing sport and such. Then when you try to avoid doing anything classed as unsafe you are labelled as lazy!

Nintendo is a harmless console, that is all.

Ryan, Poulton lee-fylde, England

*yawn*

You can get a Wii anywhere. Pick up a catalog, go to Argos, Dixon's, Game... dozens of places are stocked with them. The "waiting list" is seldom more than two weeks... though you could save yourself that hassle by going to the next electrical retailer.

Nintendo have never marketed the Wii as a device to encourage exercise, it has always been touted as a more interactive way of controlling games. Besides, you can get exercise from games like Wii sports, so don't blame the console for the laziness of your own children, because heaven forbid the responsibility actually falls on the parents for keeping their children healthy.

Peter McKane, Upton, Merseyside

Frankly this article is a bit misleading. As a parent I love spending maybe just 15 minutes or so with each of our children playing a wii game. It is a great bonding tool and fun that easliy fits into the limited time we have available and is available without having to book something special.

10 minutes of tennis with your kid when you get home from work?
Great fun, the kids love you for it.

Philip Larkin, Henley on Thames, OXON

"I’m not going to stay in and play on my computer all day mum, I'm going to go out on my skateboard and get some exercise.

Well there’s nowhere to skate, apart from the street, but I don't mind I can make do. Apparently my neighbours aren’t so keen on the idea of me having fun and getting some exercise, as they called the police and we no longer aloud to skate after 6pm (I get home from school at 5:30).

So the other kids and I asked the local council if we could have a skate park. They said yes and we raised £1,500 to help fund the building of a skate park, with help from the local community. We'll have somewhere to skate and keep fit without local homeowners calling the police because we were standing outside their house.

Unfortunately once we gave the money to the council they decided it would be better spent on the cricket pavilion and I was arrested for skating at 7:30pm and now have an ASBO. Screw going outside mum! I’m going to stay home and play on my Wii"

Luke Walker-Mitchell, Foxton, Cambridgeshire

Jason Cuevas, I think you're wrong. Satoru Iwata has repeatedly talked about plans to release health-focused games, and even some based around physical exercise regimes.

For obvious legal reasons they haven't been drawing clear links to the Wii as a health machine, but the clear marketing intention is that it should be regarded as such. Why else bundle Wii "Sports"?

David, Oxford, UK

Woe betide that a games console manufacturer creates one of the most revolutionary consoles released in over ten years. So evil are they that surreptitiously they have usurped our children into conning their inept parents into buying it for them as a great platform for rigorous exercise.

If you believe follow that line of thought then you deserve to be duped by as many so called evil corporations as your maxed out credit card will allow you.

Let us end this ridiculous moral grand standing and if your kids are turning into sloth-like little beasts then take wrench their hands of the remote and send out on a bike or something. Labeling and victimizing helps nobody and merely perpetuates the ridiculous culture of mass panic we live in today.

Jameel Jamjoom, London, UK

throw the damn kids outside for some real exercise!.

me, toronto, canada

I love how these so-called experts site all the injuries from the Wii (my favorite being the dreaded Wii elbow), yet convienently ignore all the various injuries one gets playing outdoors. As a child I had constant scabby shins and knees from bike and skateboard riding, sprained fingers, broken collarbone, broken fingers, twisted ankles, etcs from baseball, tee-ball, soccer, basketball and whatever other activities I was doing. Being injured is part of growing up. Too bad these "experts" are determined to wussify today's youth so they will be more fragile than a crystal champange glass when they are older.

Chris, Denver,

If the writer had bothered to play the Wii for themselves they would see it just needs common sense to not hit anything or hurt yourself. You can play Wii sports etc sitting down, with just a flick of the wrist.

Thurstan Johnston, Liverpool,

Three words to put the Wii in perspective: Dance Dance Revolution

The game where fat people are suddenly running in place with great vigor to incredibly bad Japanese pop music. Spin-outs, over exertion, flailing limbs and slips and falls on bad dance mats are all too common. I don't remember ever hearing anything but positive reviews for that game, along with some common sense suggestions for proper use. No so called "Experts" directing parents away from a great product.

Slinks, Ottawa, Canada

I completely fed up with this 'computer games are evil' nonsense. You never hear of bookworms being criticised for sitting around reading books all day or audiophiles listening to music hour after hour. Why not?

However, as soon as a console comes along that offers a bit more than slouching on the sofa it's criticised for the potential injuries that it may cause. I give up!

As for 6 hour sessions etc. blame the parents not the kids, my kids play on the Wii or DS for max of 1 hour per day and not every day but come the sunny weather they want to play outside on their bikes or play football, skipping etc.

Scoobysi, Bournemouth, UK

Phew - I must be one of the few fathers who have refused to get a PlayStation, Wii etc for my four young daugters though have allowed them to play games on the internet, but only at the weekends and for 30 minutes maximum for each day...

CWW, Ipswich,

Honestly!
Yes, its something that involves physical exertion, therefore, yes, you're probably going to ache afterwards.

Surely that goes without saying?!
The small aches and pains of post-Wii amusment are part and parcel of an active life. Those that live life without activity related aches, and complain about them are evidently waaay too sedentiary anyway.

and saving money by buying tennis racquets?
Get a decent pair and you might save 50 quid, but then add up the cost of hiring courts etc...

Whatever it is, do what you do, and don't complain if you happen to ache afterwards...

Tim Budd, London,

Children hurt themselves while playing horror!

Stephen, London,

12.2 hours of gaming a week? That's only 1.75 hours a day. The article is written to make that seem like a huge amount of time, but for most kids (at least here in the U.S.) that's nothing.

This article is trying to be a bit too scary. Repetitive motion injuries are nothing new to computer games (or sports i.e. Tennis Elbow.) the injuries suffered as a result of the Wii can't be anywhere close to those suffered in actual sports in terms of severity either.

Wii Sports and Rayman are both games very dependent on sudden prolonged busts of activity, I for one would like to see some research based on a game like Legend of Zelda: the Twilight Princess where the movements required are more varied.

Carson Bode, Stillwater, USA

I'm sure that the advice to simply buy a pair of tennis racquets made sense to Dr Campbell when he gave it, but the problems of finding an opponent, paying for a tennis court (and even finding one open) and not being able to play at any time of the day or night (whenever there is some free time) are not quite so easily solved. Not to forget that it's not just tennis that's available on the Wii. Parents need to take some responsibility and not rely on the Wii as a babysitter - indeed, they ought to join in with their kids, since it's actually great fun!

Tim Miller, London, UK

This is sadly typical of modern life - people complain that the Wii has disclocated their knee, hurt their elbows, frazzled their brain, whatever, as if they were somehow coerced or forced into a dangerous activity. If people decide to play in inappropriate footwear their deserve to be injured. If people play 6 hours straight I hope they get back spasms. Why must every activity and every product have warnings for the stupid and irresponsible? This typical of our rights but no responsibility age.

FresnoBob, London, UK

This article has some quite false accusations. Nintendo has never ever marketed Wii as an exercise machine, or waist line reducing machine of any type. Never have they said the gestures were to get kids more active or in shape, it's just more fun.

So is Nintendo Wii a poor exercise machine? Yes. So is your microwave and your car. Why? Because none of them are or ever claimed to be exercise machines. If anyone bought it for that reason they are a fool.

Jason Cuevas, Madison, Wisconsin

If someone injures themselves when playing a computer game, then they should take more care in the future. It's common sense really. Let's not encourage the blame culture on this side of the Atlantic too.

Phil, London,

Whats with these people and their complaints of getting hurt playing the Wii? The Wii obviously isn't at fault for most of these people's injuries. For example, the girl that accidentally lost her grip on the controller is totally at fault since the Wii controller has a wristband that is meant to protect people from hurling the controller across the room while playing. And like the article says "They wouldn’t play two hours of conventional tennis, yet they are doing that with this game." Its not like the Wii is forcing them to play over 2 hours without taking a break. The Wii is an awesome system and people should stop blaming it for injuries that they cause themselves.

Zer0, New York, New York

Agreed. Everyone wants to hop on the wii bandwagon to say something about it (be it pointless and/or uninformed as this article or negative) after its suprising success.

JDI, Memphis, TN

I cannot believe this article! On one hand.....the criticism is that the Wii is not as good as going out and doing the "real" thing, and on the other...the "dangers" of using it...including sore muscles!!!!! Is this serious!!!????? What do you think you get if you go out and play tennis for the first time again???? Any sport can result in sore muscles, any sport can result in accidents, walking out your front door can result in an accident!!!!!! How dangerous is going out on a road on a push bike? But apparently not as dangerous or bad for you as playing a Wii???? Hilarious!!!

Anne Morrison, Kilmarnock, Scotland

I'm positively flabbergasted by this ado about absolutely nothing. Wii is better than other consoles for activity, but obviously a virtual replication of the real thing is not as good as the real thing. What a shock that must be for some.

Sanford, Leicester,

The Times in 'physical exercise can cause injury' shocker...

Chris Jackson, London,

What is the difference between getting "Wii injuries" and real life injuries for doing the same stuff?! What's your point? Complaining for no reason No.1

And what about the weather? Its not exactly practical to play tennis when its raining or play at night time, so Wii Sports is an excellent alternative for this. Again, what's your point? Complaining for no reason No. 2

Bottomline, a new way to play games that you know, actually HELP burn caloires than a regular traditional controller. Helping people from around the world who don't have the benefit of a bowling alley or tennis rackets and can play a varitey of sports on the Wii. Again, why sour a helpful product? Complaining for no reason, No. 3

Tamara, San Antonio, USA, San Antonio

Nintendo gives you the most physical video game system ever... and you still complain?
It is not nintendo's fault that people can't 1: Hold onto the remote (it comes with a strap. 2: Check around themselves before swinging about wildly (they have warnings reminding you to check... if you don't it is your fault).
"Critics argue that this is calculated to ease the conscience of parents who have neither the time nor the inclination for active play with their children."

What they crap man.... have you seen any of their commercials? THEY ALL SHOW THE FAMILY PLAYING TOGETHER!!!

I have a family of my own now... but I play it with my wife, and she has never played games before. This weekend I played bowling, and golf on it with my mother and father! If anything this is not encouraging parents not to play with their kids, they are trying to open up the parent market to games!

You obviously haven't played a wii... don't try to write an article about it.

Andrew , Pocatello, USA/IDAHO

This article is a classic example of content-free sensation journalism. It's amazing to watch the writer slant what he says to try to create a negative impression.

First we have, "..it still promotes a slothful, inactive lifestyle."
Then we have "..some are noticing that hours waving the game’s controller around can add up to fairly intense exertion."

So you're complaining that it doesn't exercise the kids enough, then you're complaining that it's too much exertion?

Another favourate: "..a condition dubbed “Wii elbow”"
Then: "..so why not give kids a real racket and get them to go outside and play?" and "..save £179 and buy a pair of tennis rackets instead."

Did you forget the reason they dubbed it "Wii elbow" is because it parodies the common "tennis elbow"? which people get through, y'know, PLAYING TENNIS? Because Wii injuries are bad, not like the HEALTHY injuries from sport. Obviously.

It's still a sports injury. Your kids just have a new sport - a generally safer one, too.

Dylan Hall, Brisbane, Australia

...Really people need to think. There are millions of gamers who love to play games and the Wii is definetly the most amazing thing we have ever seen. I never use my Wii to exercize I play hockey and basketball for that. I can see their point of thinking of the Wii games as just video games but I got the hang of not over doing it easily. Besides there r plenty of games such as Super Paper Mario, Exite Truck, Call of Duty 3, and Legend of Zelda that really don't require much energy. They play it for up to 6 hours a day because plain and simple its fun and their parents have a problem with it they can send them outside for and hour to exercize. But really the last comment about save your money and buy your kids tennis rackets is quite stupid. They are saying don't buy it, send them outside, yet did we do this when the PS2 came out or Gamecube, no, Its like just now they realize gameing isn't as good a excercizing and they attack Nintendo for it. At least Nintendo is trying.

Nick, Orange, California

Children play video games for up to 6 hours at a time??? And injury (wii) or obesity (regular video games) is the fault of the device, not the parents? Electronic games have a role in children's lives as do regular exercise, reading books and spending time with their friends talking about all the impossible things they are going to do in their lives. There is a time for everything and a variety of activities broadens the mind. So, yes - my daughter owns a wii and plays with it when she feels like it, usually two or three times a week, because she's busy doing other things, as well.

Sandy, Athens, Greece

I'm an 24 year-old avid gamer who owns a Wii and loves it, playing at least an hour every day. I also walk 4 miles every day and am in good shape. If the Wii "promotes a slothful, inactive lifestyle", then so does sitting on the couch and reading a book, so we shouldn't let our children read either. Moderation is the key, people.

Jon Knitter, Chicago, Illinois

this is old stuff get over it people WII RULES

Domingo, brooklyn,

I'm so glad that there is such things a as games journalism - did the journalist who penned this article do any proper research ? - very poor article Times online

Redgoblin, Bristol,

I haven't heard of any games that force you to stand up, let alone jump around. What games are they talking about? I play all my Wii games sitting down. I haven't seen a game that requires big sweeping movements. Maybe people are just getting too into it and don't know how to keep from hurting themselves. :-\

Guy, Townsville, CA/USA