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Exercises to stave off RSI

Forum Index > BW General
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1 2 Next All
Shadowfury333
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
Canada314 Posts
Last Edited: 2008-11-14 20:27:18
November 14 2008 20:27 GMT
#1
I searched through the forums and only found threads about people complaining about RSI problems, but I was wondering if anyone knows good exercises to stave it off. I'm curious both as to what the pros do and what you guys do. I'm finding even 30 minutes to 1 hour at 180-200 APM average is enough to make my right hand sore. Maybe it's because I only have the crappy Apple Mighty Mouse, which requires more effort to press than the buttons of other mice, but since I'm too cheap to buy another mouse(hopefully I get one for Christmas), I'm wondering if there are any exercises that can help my mouse hand to last through long games.
Darkness called...but I was on the phone, so I missed him. I tried to *69 darkness, but his machine picked up. I yelled "Pick up the phone, Darkness", but he ignored me. Darkness must have been screening his calls.
Racenilatr
Profile Blog Joined August 2008
United States2756 Posts
November 14 2008 21:25 GMT
#2
uh....i think the apple mighty mouse is gonna be the problem. You cant really do anything with a crappy mouse...Also whats RSI? Also maybe try to use more hotkeys? Idk what your playstyle is though...
Excalibur_Z
Profile Joined October 2002
United States12240 Posts
November 14 2008 21:29 GMT
#3
On November 15 2008 06:25 Racenilatr wrote:
uh....i think the apple mighty mouse is gonna be the problem. You cant really do anything with a crappy mouse...Also whats RSI? Also maybe try to use more hotkeys? Idk what your playstyle is though...


What a terrible reply. RSI = Repetitive Stress Injury. While it may not be actual RSI that you're feeling, a more comfortable mouse may help. Is it just your hand? Do you have a wrist-rest as well?
Moderator
Zoler
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
Sweden6339 Posts
November 14 2008 21:32 GMT
#4
On November 15 2008 06:29 Excalibur_Z wrote:
Show nested quote +
On November 15 2008 06:25 Racenilatr wrote:
uh....i think the apple mighty mouse is gonna be the problem. You cant really do anything with a crappy mouse...Also whats RSI? Also maybe try to use more hotkeys? Idk what your playstyle is though...


What a terrible reply.

Lim Yo Hwan forever!
Shadowfury333
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
Canada314 Posts
Last Edited: 2008-11-14 21:44:19
November 14 2008 21:43 GMT
#5
On November 15 2008 06:29 Excalibur_Z wrote:What a terrible reply. RSI = Repetitive Stress Injury. While it may not be actual RSI that you're feeling, a more comfortable mouse may help. Is it just your hand? Do you have a wrist-rest as well?


Perhaps I should explain my ergonomic situation in more detail:

For keyboard: I play on a MacBook Pro both at school and at home. I have a stand for it which helps enormously with comfort. At school I use the built-in keyboard, and at home I have a standard Apple keyboard connected externally, which is comfortable enough.
For surfaces: At school, the tables are usually about 2 inches too high to be really comfortable, but not too bad. At home I have a desk with a lower section for keyboard and mouse, which is more comfortable.
For mice: I used to use a Kensignton ExpertMouse for SC, and use it for most other games, but I found it too inaccurate over 100 APM. Since the right click is done with the pinky and that moves the entire hand, nudging the ball, and the cursor movement is velocity-based, not position-based like a mouse. Despite this, the mouse is very comfortable, as it requires only finger movement and has a nice wristrest, though the picture linked doesn't show it.
Now I use the Mighty Mouse, and while it is more accurate, it is uncomfortable to click after a while, not to mention unreliable when clicking (right and left-click can easily be confused in the heat of battle).

Phew. Now, I'm not making this thread to ask for advice on mouse purchasing, I already did that. However, I hope this detail may help explain the situation, but my main question is still about exercises or something to help avoid RSI. If that something is a better set of peripherals, so be it, but I'd rather not drop $60 to get a new mouse to maybe fix the problem.
Darkness called...but I was on the phone, so I missed him. I tried to *69 darkness, but his machine picked up. I yelled "Pick up the phone, Darkness", but he ignored me. Darkness must have been screening his calls.
Racenilatr
Profile Blog Joined August 2008
United States2756 Posts
November 14 2008 21:50 GMT
#6
Well, have you tried hand therapy?
Squishing some putty stuff helps relieve stress(helps me)
Shadowfury333
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
Canada314 Posts
Last Edited: 2008-11-14 22:31:58
November 14 2008 22:03 GMT
#7
On November 15 2008 06:50 Racenilatr wrote:
Well, have you tried hand therapy?
Squishing some putty stuff helps relieve stress(helps me)


No, I'll ask my chiropractor about it next time I see her (in about 2 weeks).

Also in response to your first reply, I use primarily unit control groups, location hotkeys for buildings(F2/F4) and rally point location(F3)—as I find that allows for scalable macro more easily than shifting from building hotkeys to location hotkeys—and production hotkeys as much as I can remember them(I have gate memorized, but not SG or Robo. Upgrades are not memorized yet). As it is I try to use hotkeys as much as possible.

EDIT: Upon some self-examination, I've found that it is mainly the muscles controlling the index and middle finger that are sore, particularly on the palm side. I can see how that might be related to the mouse and the tough-to-press button.
Darkness called...but I was on the phone, so I missed him. I tried to *69 darkness, but his machine picked up. I yelled "Pick up the phone, Darkness", but he ignored me. Darkness must have been screening his calls.
PH
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
United States6173 Posts
November 14 2008 22:53 GMT
#8
I would look into getting a new mouse for sure then. Macs can use most any mice designed for windows as well, no? If so, I would recommend just going out and putting down like $25 for a cheap Logitech optical mouse. You don't need a terribly good one, and they're all pretty comfortable.
Hello
Augury
Profile Blog Joined September 2008
United States758 Posts
November 14 2008 23:01 GMT
#9
logitech FTW.. all of their mice seem to have really nice buttons
Nytefish
Profile Blog Joined December 2007
United Kingdom4282 Posts
November 14 2008 23:06 GMT
#10
By the way, does it ever take a long time for RSI to show up. I'm wondering if pros manage to avoid it by good exercise/position/equipment or if it may show up later in their life?
No I'm never serious.
O.P.
Profile Joined October 2007
Sweden109 Posts
November 14 2008 23:14 GMT
#11
Exercises are extremely important. The best one I've found is climbing. The second best is grip training. Also remember two use the mouse with your other hand as much as you can. It will only feel awkward for two weeks or so.
sushiman
Profile Joined September 2003
Sweden2691 Posts
November 14 2008 23:16 GMT
#12
I don't suffer from RSI, but I've found Baoding balls being very good for releasing tension in your hands, relaxing fingers and wrists. You might want to give it a try.
1000 at least.
pubbanana
Profile Blog Joined June 2005
United States3063 Posts
November 14 2008 23:32 GMT
#13
NaDa uses one of these things. I don't know what they're called.

[image loading]
Wachet, stehet im Glauben, seid männlich und seid stark.
Shadowfury333
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
Canada314 Posts
Last Edited: 2008-11-15 02:41:51
November 15 2008 02:35 GMT
#14
On November 15 2008 07:53 PH wrote:
I would look into getting a new mouse for sure then. Macs can use most any mice designed for windows as well, no? If so, I would recommend just going out and putting down like $25 for a cheap Logitech optical mouse. You don't need a terribly good one, and they're all pretty comfortable.


I use Windows for SC. The Intel-based Macs can do that. I find the mouse acceleration more natural, iCCup more agreeable, and there's no pillarboxing.

On November 15 2008 08:14 O.P. wrote:
Exercises are extremely important. The best one I've found is climbing. The second best is grip training. Also remember two use the mouse with your other hand as much as you can. It will only feel awkward for two weeks or so.


Thanks. I'm not sure where I'd be able to do climbing, as I'm sure school security wouldn't take kindly to me climbing on the walls (Parkour FTW) but grip training I can do. I had to do that for piano, so I know a few exercises for that. I'll try offhanding, but I think the more awkward thing would be the hotkeys.
Darkness called...but I was on the phone, so I missed him. I tried to *69 darkness, but his machine picked up. I yelled "Pick up the phone, Darkness", but he ignored me. Darkness must have been screening his calls.
PH
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
United States6173 Posts
November 16 2008 23:12 GMT
#15
It looks like I'll need to get into this soon...the other night, after playing like my fifth game in a row (all losses T_T ) on iccup, my index finger was screaming at me...I could barely click with it after that, and had to off-hand...
Hello
Starparty
Profile Blog Joined December 2004
Sweden1963 Posts
November 16 2008 23:18 GMT
#16
logitech mice is teh shit. i have my old trusted mx5
The artist formerly known as Starparty
zobz
Profile Joined November 2005
Canada2175 Posts
November 16 2008 23:23 GMT
#17
Better mousepad and chair/table at the right height? Get an adjustable chair and figure out the right height if you can. I'm pretty sure it makes a significant difference for blood circulation and important stuff. It's something pianists worry about, there's a certain ideal angle your wrist should be at, i don't remember what.
"That's not gonna be good for business." "That's not gonna be good for anybody."
Shadowfury333
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
Canada314 Posts
November 17 2008 02:22 GMT
#18
On November 17 2008 08:23 zobz wrote:
Better mousepad and chair/table at the right height? Get an adjustable chair and figure out the right height if you can. I'm pretty sure it makes a significant difference for blood circulation and important stuff. It's something pianists worry about, there's a certain ideal angle your wrist should be at, i don't remember what.


Well ahead of that, but thanks anyway. As for the wrists, they should be straight with the hand shaped as if it were around a ball. Given that your hand is around the mouse that shouldn't be a problem.
Darkness called...but I was on the phone, so I missed him. I tried to *69 darkness, but his machine picked up. I yelled "Pick up the phone, Darkness", but he ignored me. Darkness must have been screening his calls.
H
Profile Blog Joined July 2007
New Zealand6138 Posts
Last Edited: 2008-11-17 02:48:31
November 17 2008 02:48 GMT
#19
On November 15 2008 08:32 pubbanana wrote:
NaDa uses one of these things. I don't know what they're called.


If it's good enough for NaDa, it's probably good enough for anyone.
[iHs]HCO | のヮの | pachi & plexa ownz | RIP _
Shadowfury333
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
Canada314 Posts
Last Edited: 2008-11-20 04:17:54
November 20 2008 04:17 GMT
#20
Well, thanks for the input. Although I haven't yet gotten the Baoding balls or a NaDa-brand hand flexor, I have found some improvisations, and some useful exercises:

Before playing, pulling hands back about 90° and holding for about 10 seconds. Then doing the same with index and middle fingers on the right hand. Then pushing hands inward for about 10 seconds.
Followed by squeezing Trackball ball (I still use the thing outside of SC) or a hackysack to relax back.
Lastly warming up hands by rubbing them together, and rubbing the wrists with the opposite hand.

After playing, once again pulling hands and fingers back, this time for 20 seconds. Then pushing them inwards again. Then squeezing ball until relaxed. Repeat until hands feel comfortable again.

Comments?
Darkness called...but I was on the phone, so I missed him. I tried to *69 darkness, but his machine picked up. I yelled "Pick up the phone, Darkness", but he ignored me. Darkness must have been screening his calls.
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