People who play with Beyblade tops for extended periods should warm up their wrists first, a doctor said, citing a recent case of a man who was injured while playing the game.
Beyblade, a spinning-top toy line developed by Japanese company Takara and first released in 1999, have recently surged in popularity, sparking buying frenzies at major toy retailers, with many children and adults playing.
However, some enthusiasts are developing wrist strains and pain from repeated use, doctors said.
Photo copied by Ge You-hao, Taipei Times
Orthopedic specialists warned that while players enjoy the competitive fun, warming up the wrists is equally important, as the seemingly simple repeated launching motion used during gameplay can pose an injury risk.
Lee Yuan-ta (李沅達), an orthopedic doctor at Cardinal Tien Hospital, said that a man in his 20s sought treatment for severe hand pain.
After speaking with the man, Lee found that he had become engrossed in Beyblade and would pull the launcher cord many times in practice sessions.
The prolonged, high-frequency exertion, combined with a lack of proper stretching and rest, resulted in strains to the wrist flexor and extensor muscle groups, Lee said.
Beyblade first gained popularity through Japanese animation, and had previously sparked a craze among children and teenagers in Taiwan, he said.
Unlike Taiwan’s traditional spinning tops, which rely on hand strength, technique and throwing angle, Beyblade launchers require players only to pull a cord forcefully to send the top spinning into the arena.
Players can also battle multiple tops in the same arena, and use tools to modify the tops’ design to improve performance and increase their chances of winning, he said.
Although Beyblade is considered a recreational activity, launching the tops requires explosive wrist force, Lee said.
Repeating the same motion over long periods can lead to overuse of muscles and tendons, causing soreness or strains, and in severe cases could affect normal daily functioning, he said.
Players should perform simple wrist stretches and warm-up exercises before battles, and to take regular breaks during play to avoid prolonged, continuous use, he said.
If persistent pain, swelling or weakness develops, players should seek medical attention as soon as possible to avoid delaying treatment, Lee added.
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