You’ve probably heard of ergonomics and how important it is. However, most people typically think of them when setting foot in the workplace, but what if we told you that it applies to gamers as well?
That’s right! Gamers can use proper ergonomics to keep their body healthy and pain-free while keeping the game off pause!
What is Proper Gamer Ergonomics Posture?
Posture is the position in which you hold your body upright against gravity while standing, sitting, or lying down. Gaming posture, therefore, is simply the position in which your body is in while gaming, which, more often than not, is in the sitting position.
Prolonged periods of sitting can increase your risk for muscular imbalance and joint degeneration of the hips, spine, and shoulders. This is why the #1 thing you can do to improve your gamer ergonomics is to take a standing break to stretch out and loosen up your body.
Some ailments that can be caused by improper gamer posture can include but are not limited to:
- Back pain
- Neck Pain
- Improper balance
- Muscle tightness
Proper Gaming Posture
We all know that playing video games while standing isn’t the ideal way to play, as most of us want to kick back and relax when firing up the console or PC, so some ways to improve your gaming posture when doing so include:
- Sitting up straight in your designated gaming seat with your lower back supported by a lumbar curve.
- Sitting with your bottom & thighs distributing even pressure on your seat.
- Making sure that your monitor or TV is at eye level to put less strain on your neck.
- Keep your controller or mouse and keyboard in a position where your wrists are straight and not angled upwards or downwards.
- Making sure that the area behind the knee is not touching the seat.
- Keeping your feet flat on the floor or on a footrest.
Proper gaming ergonomics promotes good posture and helps:
- Keep bones and joints in the correct alignment so muscles can be used properly.
- Decrease the abnormal wearing of joint surfaces that could result in arthritis and other severe conditions over time.
- Decrease the stress on the ligaments holding the joints of the spine together.
- Prevent the spine from becoming fixed in abnormal positions.
- Counter fatigue because muscles are used more efficiently, allowing the body to use less energy.
- Prevent strain or overuse problems.
- Avert backaches and muscular pains.
Ergonomics play an instrumental role in how your body feels on a day-to-day basis, helping prevent suffering injuries due to strain and overuse.
Physical and occupational therapists have experience working with patients to improve posture and ergonomics. For more information, find a therapist near you today!
