Gamenomics - National Video Game Day

National Video Game Day was July 8th and I think we can all celebrate the role that gaming has played in our lives. Even now, I have fond memories of playing with my brothers, strangling them with the controller wire if they tried to cheat or happen to win, and playing Golden Eye with my friends until the sun came up. A lot of things have changed since then. No longer are we bound by 2D graphics; now we can create our own societies and play with people all over the world. Nothing says community like beating up another person's virtual character and stealing their car.

As I got older, I noticed that the way I played became different. I use to be able to sit cross-legged in front of the TV, head cocked back, and play for hours. But now when I do that, I feel pretty crappy afterwards. Instead of my mom yelling at me to go outside, I get neck and wrist pain ("MOM, I'M TRYING TO GET TO A SAVE POINT GAH!!"). I also noticed that most of my friends had poor posture when they played too. Well, I think there are a few ergonomic solutions that gamers everywhere can benefit from to feel and play better.

PC Games

This is where I see the worst practices of posture and hand positioning. I see people with $3,000 PC builds sitting on a fold out table. Spend some of that energy drink money on an ergonomic desk set-up. The most important accessory to add would be a keyboard tray. Some people don't realize how much strain they put on their neck and shoulders from reaching to type on their desktop. A keyboard tray will bring the mouse and keyboard to your lap, so you can relieve this pressure.

A good mouse is pivotal for shooting Nazis and destroying the Zerg. Not only will an ergonomic mouse such as the Evoluent alleviate wrist and hand pain with its handshake design, but it also has programmable buttons, perfect for having quick access to hot key commands. These mice come in different sizes for all types of users, and are also available in wired and wireless versions.

It has become common knowledge that sitting for prolonged periods is bad for you, and that definitely relates those all night gaming sessions. A sit-to-stand solution like the UPLIFT 900 makes standing at your desk easy and accessible. Get your blood moving and increase focus by standing when you really need that extra energy. Some people may even need to add monitor arm(s) to get their displays to the perfect height.

Console Games

Playing on consoles usually means sitting in front of your TV in the living room, so I am going to focus on the importance of getting a good ergonomic chair (although this definitely applies to a PC setup as well). Are you still sitting on that chair you got at Goodwill for $5.00? Well, there's a reason you paid so little. Most standard office chairs are mass produced and are more focused on design than actual ergonomic benefits. Anyone who sits in a $100 chair will most certainly notice the difference when they try a true ergonomic chair. I think most people like to sit back and play games, at least until there's only 1 minute left in a FIFA soccer game, so I would suggest a chair that has plenty of lumbar and neck support. Check out the Ergohuman line for a variety of different upholstery options, as well as every adjustment you can think of. These chairs will last a lifetime (they have to, they come with a lifetime warranty) and will significantly improve the way you feel.

If you have any questions about how these accessories work, or would like to place and order, call us at 1-800-531-3746.

Learn more about ergonomics for gamers and non-gamers alike at TheHumanSolution.com.

Related Reads:

• TrackIR 5 Virtual Reality Head Mouse: Get Your Head in the Game!
• The Superbowl of Ergonomics: Stay Active and Ergonomic During The Big Game
• Innovative Office Designs to Make Your Workday More Bearable