The purpose of this study was to determine how acute active pc-video game affects kinematic variables and muscle activities of adolescents. Fourteen middle school students(age: 15.9±0.7 yrs, height: 171.3±6.1cm, weight: 60.0±5.4 kg, right handed) who have no musculoskeletal disorder were recruited as the subject according to having experience in using the pc-video game for more than six months. Maximum angle, angular velocity, and muscle activity of the upper extremity were determined for each trial. For each dependent variable, a paired t-test was performed to test if significant difference existed between pre- and post a 60 minute active pc-video game(p<.05). This study found that one hour pc-video game hour may not affect on movement and ROM of the finger and the wrist, whereas it may have an effect on muscle activity of the upper extremity. It seems that repetitive movement pattern during an active pc-video game may hinder muscle activity of adolescents’ upper extremity. Part of the increase in musculoskeletal disorders is linked to the amount of time adolescents are allowed to play video games. This study found that an active pc-video game appears to have negative effects on the upper extremity muscles. Since wrist movements are continually repeated throughout the video game, carpal tunnel syndrome may possibly be caused by long-term exposure to video games.
