Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Smirnoffinator on July 17, 2006, 01:08:29 pm
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Ok this may be a strange topic and question but here would be good place to ask so here it goes. I am trying to complete my Jamma machine and in the back of my mind is that whenever I go to D+B or wherever (which is few and far between) and get into a button mashing game IE Tekken after a fairly short amount of playing my wrists begin to hurt. Does anyone else experience this? Its not with all arcade games. Is there a way to avoid this in the design of a CP? Do i just need to eat more bananas? (seriously or any fruits and veggies for that matter) Any input appreciated. TIA
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Wrist pain has nothing to do with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Carpal tunnel would result in compression of the median nerve, with numbness/tingling in your thumb, index and 1/2 of your middle finger. Most likely your wrist pain is just that....an overuse type injury. I would suggest a control panel at a comfortable height (if you are too tall over it you have to extend your wrists too much and that will cause pain) and adequate shelf space between your joysticks and the end of the control panel so your wrists can rest. Another idea is to fully stretch and extend your wrist and fingers prior to lengthy gaming sessions. Bananas (I assume you're thinking of potassium replacement) won't do anything to help you. Hydration MAY help but not likely to be noticeable. If you are having carpal tunnel symptoms (numbness, tingling) I have a hard time correlating it to an arcade machine...more likely cause would be time on the computer keyboard. Medical causes that predispose a person to carpal tunnel syndrome include hypothyroidism and pregnancy. I'm assuming you're neither. Hope that helps.
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If your control panel is angled, that can be a problem. The height is also important. The less "bent" your wrist needs to be, the better. THe less "angled" also better.
Google for "ergonomics" related to desk + chair + keyboard and basically all the rules they teach for proper posture and positions for using a computer at a desk can be adapted to your arcade situation...
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I've been playing consoles, arcade games, typing and riding dirt bikes daily since the early 80's with no carpal tunnel issues. Yes, I've gotten sore arms from playing sometimes. I mentioned the dirt bike because it hammers your arms beyond anything you'll ever experience pushing buttons, like your arms feel like they're going to fall off. Heh.
Its possible that you're a sissy and will get carpal tunnel it after a month, but I think you'll be ok. ;)
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You can also develop "pac-man elbow" pretty easily if you go from light play to intensive multi-day play all at once. I get tendonitis like that in different parts of my body from time to time... it goes away after a few weeks.
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Geritol might help...
;D
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The problem is obvious. You're not drinking enough beer.