SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Interactive gaming devices, such as Nintendo Wii, can cause injuries including abrasions, sprains, shoulder, ankle and foot injuries, U.S. researchers say.
Lead study author Dr. Patrick O'Toole of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and colleagues say the popular video games differ from traditional video games in that they require participants to mime the movements of a particular sport or activity while competing against a real or computer-generated player.
The researchers reviewed National Electronic Injury Surveillance System data on video game-related injuries by people of all ages from 2004 to 2009.
A total of 696 video game-related injuries were reported during the 5-year study period. The study finds 604 injuries resulting from traditional games with 92 injuries from the newer interactive games.
When compared to the traditional video game group, participants in the interactive group were significantly more likely to injure their shoulder, ankle, and foot, O'Toole says.
"Younger children age 10 and under should be supervised while video games are being played to prevent bystander injuries, which are more common with interactive games," O'Toole says in a statement.
The findings were presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition in San Francisco.
