Sore forearms effecting game play

OsC

Canada542 Posts

July 07 2011 01:24 GMT

Does anyone feel like when they have sore forearms, their mouse precision/micro and stuff are a bit off and shaky?

i workout very regularly, and I just got back from the gym and my forearms are pretty sore, and I played a few games and everything seemed off in terms of the movements requiring my wrists and stuff like mouse, hotkeys, keyboards, etc.

so for you guys that workout/do physical labor that effects your forearms, do you feel like youre not as fluid when you play when youre sore?

or was i just playing bad

tok

United States691 Posts

July 07 2011 01:25 GMT

http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/carpal-tunnel/carpal-tunnel-syndrome

Read up and try not to get too paranoid. If you are still feeling pain go to a doctor and see if they can diagnose you.

OsC

Canada542 Posts

July 07 2011 01:26 GMT

lol it's definitely not carpal tunnel

nothing to do with my wrists or pain or anything, just muscle soreness from the gym, and i come home and play a few games.

Barbiero

Brazil5259 Posts

July 07 2011 01:26 GMT

Yes, exhausting the muscles used to move your mouse and hit your keyboard makes you slower. I mean, it is kinda obvious isn't it?

untilMay

Korea (South)190 Posts

July 07 2011 01:27 GMT

Pretty sure that when anything you have is sore it will affect your gameplay. For example (this doesn't pertain to soreness but same type of issue) when your fingers are cold you cannot press buttons/stretch hands as well as if your hands were warm.

Basically, if your body isn't at physical homeostasis(<--- loose using of this word) then you will probably be affected.

OsC

Canada542 Posts

July 07 2011 01:27 GMT

On July 07 2011 10:26 Zephirdd wrote:
Yes, exhausting the muscles used to move your mouse and hit your keyboard makes you slower. I mean, it is kinda obvious isn't it?

Well i didnt think it would have mattered since the movements on the mouse and stuff for sc2 isn't exactly tiring physically

Gentso

United States2218 Posts

July 07 2011 01:27 GMT

After a week or two of working out you shouldn't be getting sore anymore.

Thienan567

United States670 Posts

July 07 2011 01:30 GMT

On July 07 2011 10:27 Oscatron wrote:

Show nested quote +

Well i didnt think it would have mattered since the movements on the mouse and stuff for sc2 isn't exactly tiring physically

yes, but your arms are already tired and sore, so any more physical activity will feel a lot more intense due to extra sensitivity. =p

Treva

United States533 Posts

July 07 2011 01:31 GMT

Depends on how much you move your mouse arm when you play. I know people who play with low sensitivity and move their arm all over the place when they move their mouse so if you do that then yeah working our and having sore forearms will probably make it harder to play. However I play on pretty high sensitivity so my arm actually stays put and I only need to pivot my wrist to move my mouse everywhere I need it to.

101toss

3232 Posts

July 07 2011 01:32 GMT

#10

On July 07 2011 10:27 Gentso wrote:
After a week or two of working out you shouldn't be getting sore anymore.

That means you aren't pushing yourself to your maximum capability :/

FunnelC4kes

Ireland462 Posts

July 07 2011 01:32 GMT

#11

Quit Batin'

mooshoo

United States37 Posts

July 07 2011 01:34 GMT

#12

This is off topic but it really annoys me when someone uses "effecting" when it's really "affecting". The word affect refers to the act while effect refers to the result. Therefore, sore arms are affecting your gameplay and the overall effect is detrimental.

chAse_

Germany84 Posts

July 07 2011 01:35 GMT

#13

go, see a doctor and stop starting stupid posts.

yes, obvious is obvious.

sluggaslamoo

Australia4494 Posts

July 07 2011 01:44 GMT

#14

I am a programmer and high apm sc2 player.

I recently got really bad RSI in my forearms playing Starcraft and programming for work, for a few weeks after a day of shoveling loads of concrete. Seems like it was a combination of teared muscles, and not letting them recover by having really bad habits.

I couldn't type for more than 5 minutes because my arms would just loose so much strength and become really sore.

So I learned to type ergonomically by keeping my arms and wrists elevated while I type, sure its tiring, but it stopped my RSI.

In the first week I also massaged my arms and stretched them very frequently, and warmed them up under a hot tap before doing any typing.

My arms seemed to have recovered so I can claw type again, but whenever I remember I keep my arms elevated to prevent injury again.

I was planning on visiting a physiotherapist, but my arms have basically made a full recovery in only a few weeks so I didn't need to.

So to answer your question, you need to stop playing SC2 after you work out, or just take a break from fore-arm based activities, as you are not allowing time for your arms to recover and will probably induce scar-tissue.

Also make sure you play more ergonomically (elevate your arms and wrists, you will notice the sweet spot when it stops hurting) because that will allow your arms to recover and prevent more injury. Theres also another reason for doing this, if you maintain a claw posture with your typing, you will start creating knots and unnecessary scar tissue in your arms which will cause irreparable damage.

If problems persist obviously go see a physiotherapist, he will give you some excercises, massage your arms, and probably put suction cups and heaters on them.

BioTech

Australia264 Posts

July 07 2011 01:49 GMT

#15

Just a general tip on this to everyone. For non-gaming use start using your left hand (if youre a right-hander).

At work I use my left hand on the mouse, for general use at home I use left. But when gaming I use my right. It doesnt take very long at all to become proficient in using both, youll be suprised.

GMonster

686 Posts

July 07 2011 01:53 GMT

#16

if you ever go to the gym do forarm stuff on your bicep days. They will not get sore after about a month of working out (until the day you want HUGE Forarms like arnold and then you have to work them out every day)

On July 07 2011 10:35 chAse_ wrote:
go, see a doctor and stop starting stupid posts.

yes, obvious is obvious.

yeah you might want to stop making completely stupid and idiotic posts. The last few i've seen from you have been completely ignorant. Take your own advice

EDIT: and he gets banned before i finish lol <3 you mods.

Rorance

Canada41 Posts

July 07 2011 02:02 GMT

#17

I go to the gym regularly and experience what you do most every day, I find doing a LOT of stretching before, during and after helps a noticeable amount if you aren't already doing it, which you should be.

My forearms usually get sore from having to hold heavy weights in each hand for extended periods of time, I never focus on them. Grip strength comes naturally when doing everything else

If this is the kind of soreness you are talking about, which i'm sure it is, as everyone here seems to think you have CT or don't already game ergonomically.

What really helps me is waiting a good hour or so before I play, usually watching Day[9] or whatever else is on that I feel like watching. If that's not enough, and I will usually know when it won't be enough before hand, I drink some hot tea and use the warm cup to soothe my forearms... That's just me though, heating them up and promoting blood flow is the basic goal to wash away all the lactic acid you have built up.

iSTime

1579 Posts

July 07 2011 02:18 GMT

#18

On July 07 2011 10:27 Gentso wrote:
After a week or two of working out you shouldn't be getting sore anymore.

Depends what you're doing. If you're doing exercise where the limiting factor is almost always finger strength (e.g. climbing), your forearms are always going to sore after exercising.

esla_sol

United States756 Posts

July 07 2011 02:24 GMT

#19

same thing, sore forearms.

it is basically tendonitis. its a lot less serious than other rsi injuries like carpal tunnel. advil works wonders.

if you want to see a doctor, see a chiropractor that does active release therapy. youll feel better immediately, but after a month of sessions itll be gone for good.

SensFaiL

United States98 Posts

July 07 2011 02:29 GMT

#20

I've found just working out period effects my gameplay some because my muscles are so pumped its almost hard to just do the small movements with the mouse. I usually wait a few hours before I play some after a workout now to wind down a bit.

KimJongChill

United States6429 Posts

July 07 2011 02:39 GMT

#21

I don't have forearm problems, but I get stiff, and somewhat sore sensations in the middle of my hands, just under the knuckles. It's aggravated by rapid finger movements, like hotkey and click spam, but it's pretty annoying to deal with when the game gets more intense. Anyone have any diagnosis?

waxypants

United States479 Posts

July 07 2011 02:42 GMT

#22

Yes, unfortunately I can tell you first hand that sore forearm muscles will make your speed and accuracy go to hell.

indigoawareness

Slovakia273 Posts

July 07 2011 02:48 GMT

#23

You need a better chair/desk bro. Also think about your posture for a second. I think this is something severely unconsidered amoungst (people and) gamers. It makes a huge difference especially if you've been working out, and moreso in general regarding soreness of random parts, including forearms. Keep that in mind. However, poor accuracy makes sense with fatigued muscles. My legs don't function especially well if I've really shocked the quads. I recommend some low intensity high rep/toning excecises for the forearms in order to get them into shape for excessive forceful clicking. Vigorous masturbation will help in the long run.

sluggaslamoo

Australia4494 Posts

July 07 2011 05:25 GMT

#24

On July 07 2011 11:39 KimJongChill wrote:
I don't have forearm problems, but I get stiff, and somewhat sore sensations in the middle of my hands, just under the knuckles. It's aggravated by rapid finger movements, like hotkey and click spam, but it's pretty annoying to deal with when the game gets more intense. Anyone have any diagnosis?

I used to have problems during tense moments, but I would even get a sore jaw.

Basically I would clench my teeth and tense my arms so much that they would be really fatigured after a game. I've gradually been getting better at keeping my muscles relaxed during tense moments, it really helped, requires a lot of discipline though.

That and also keeping your wrists and arms elevated so you type in a more ergonomic fashion.

If its a pins and needles sensation and the muscles are really red thats different, ive had that before too from during the heavy exam period. Ergonomics will help, but you need to ice it to reduce the swelling and heat it up before using. I think stretches helped. But basically you need to stop for a long time and heat and massage it to let it recover.

jjun212

Canada2208 Posts

July 07 2011 05:28 GMT

#25

sore anything will effect gameplay.
ever had a sore jaw. it hurts and all i can think about is my jaw.

Crake_

United States74 Posts

July 07 2011 06:56 GMT

#26

I have had the same problem with playing guitar after deadlifting and doing forearm work. Really weird feeling.

zylog

Canada943 Posts

July 07 2011 10:34 GMT

#27

Yeah, it's pretty unavoidable. You want to push yourself while working out, but that'll lead to fatigued forearms and decreased performance when it comes to doing quick, precise actions. It's the same thing when it comes to sports training. Lots of intense physical training can negatively affect quickness and precision, so athletes will have regimens that cycle between emphasizing general physical preparation and emphasizing sports specific work.

So really the best thing you can do is manage your time/schedule as much as possible, space out your activities as best you can. If you lift in the afternoon, try to give yourself a few hours of rest before gaming. If you have a big gaming session coming up, don't do your big deadlift session the day before. If you're training for an athletic event coming up in a month, be willing to sacrifice a bit of your starcraft playing performance during that time, etc.

BearStorm

United States795 Posts

July 07 2011 10:39 GMT

#28

On July 07 2011 10:49 BioTech wrote:
Just a general tip on this to everyone. For non-gaming use start using your left hand (if youre a right-hander).

At work I use my left hand on the mouse, for general use at home I use left. But when gaming I use my right. It doesnt take very long at all to become proficient in using both, youll be suprised.

How long did it take you to become proficient with your offhand? I might be interested in trying this since I have been getting pains in my right hand.

bebe01

Korea (South)512 Posts

July 07 2011 10:47 GMT

#29

Must be new to working out, soreness will go away, if it bothers you that much just don't play.

redDuke

Australia207 Posts

July 07 2011 11:01 GMT

#30

Just a bit of tendonitis. I get the same from gym/cheer/sc2 combos. Ice and anti inflammatories plus a little rest does wonders

Pondo

Australia283 Posts

July 07 2011 11:18 GMT

#31

I do rock climbing regularly (extremely forearm intensive) and I can't write afterwards. :S

zul

Germany5427 Posts

July 07 2011 11:35 GMT

#32

On July 07 2011 10:35 chAse_ wrote:
go, see a doctor and stop starting stupid posts.

yes, obvious is obvious.

nice selfown dude.

on topic: after working out I never play SC, cuz my arms are all heavy and exhausted. just wait some hours or dont play at all for that day. nothing to worry about. If you get pain in your wrists then you might go see a doctor.

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