Exercise Before you Wii

via metrowii

The British Chiropractic Association has advised people to warm up before playing the Wii games. They are advising people to consider the Wii session as a form of excersise and hence do a warm up and a cool down. Players can then avoid “stiffness and possible injuries.”

Exercises as suggested by BCA –

The BCA has developed a ‘Wii Warm Up’ to help users retain nimble fingers but avoid over exertion:

1) Shoulder Shrug – Slowly shrug your shoulders towards your ears. Hold for 2/3 seconds, and then relax. Repeat 3 times. Because it is easier to relax a muscle after you’ve tightened it, you will relax the muscles in the shoulder and allow the blood to flow into the arms.
2) Wrist Stretch – Slowly stretch the wrist backwards, hold for 2/3 seconds, then Slowly stretch is forwards and hold for 2/3 seconds. Repeat 3 times. This exercise prevents tightening of the wrists.
3) Make a Fist – Hold the arm at right angles from the elbow. Make a fist and tense it, and the whole of your arm. Hold for 2/3 seconds, then relax and let the arm flop to your side. Repeat 3 times. This will help the blood flow and tone the muscles.
4) Neck muscle stretch – Try to make a double chin, to stretch the muscles at the base of the neck. Hold this position for 2 to 3 seconds and repeat 3 times. Always stretch very slowly.
5) Lower back loosen – Stand with your feet shoulder width apart slowly circle your hips 5 revolutions to the right and then 5 revolutions to your left.
But remember warm up exercises shouldn’t be painful, so if they are stop!
Hutchful concludes “It is also important to take frequent breaks during a Wii session, at least once every 45 minutes for most people, but 20 – 30 minutes for those who do not exercise regularly. Don’t forget - pain is a warning sign, so if you feel any pain no matter how slight – stop!”