Video gaming can be a great way to relax, but it can also take its toll on the body. Following ergonomics principles while playing is essential to prevent discomfort and injuries.

One of the critical aspects of a controller’s ergonomics is its affordance. 

Choosing the Right Controller

Video gaming can be a great way to unwind after a long day, connect with friends online, and enjoy a fast-paced, interactive art form. But it’s important to remember that gaming can also take a toll on your body, especially if you need to practice better ergonomics. Thankfully, there are easy actions you can do to increase your comfort level and boost your gaming efficiency.

One of the most common mistakes gamers make is sitting too far from their desk. The ideal position is to sit close enough to rest your elbows on the armrest of your chair and keep your shoulders in a neutral posture. If you sit too far, you may experience shoulder pain and will likely be unable to use your mouse or keyboard effectively.

Another mistake is using a controller that is too small for your hand size. Many controllers are designed with curves that fit the anthropometrics of a typical adult male’s hands, which can lead to problems for gamers with smaller hands. A too large controller can cause aches and strains, particularly in the thumb and index fingers.

Lastly, gamers who use a claw grip to hold their controller can strain their wrists unnecessarily. Claw grips require your fingers to be stretched past the controller’s edges, leading to strained tendons and discomfort.

Getting Started

A gaming controller is a great option for PC gamers who prefer console-style gamepads’ ease of use and ergonomics. While a keyboard and mouse may provide superior accuracy in some games, the best controller for PC gaming is better for platforming, retro, or puzzle games that require precise movements. It is also a good choice for PC games initially designed for console play or those that feel like console-style games.

When choosing a gamepad, consider the layout and ergonomics, including the handgrip shape and button placement. Choose one that feels comfortable in your hands, and consider additional features such as durable build quality, customizable buttons, or built-in haptic feedback. A wired controller will have less latency, but some gamers prefer the freedom of movement offered by a wireless model.

A premium gaming pad is an excellent choice for maximizing comfort and performance.

Comfort

Suppose you’re uncomfortable while gaming; you can’t focus on the game. The discomfort can also lead to injury over time, causing pain in specific body parts and even stopping you from playing for long periods. To avoid such problems, you should use ergonomically-sound equipment and adjust your game station to minimize strain on the body.

A common ergonomic mistake many gamers make is sitting too far from their desk. This causes the player to lean back too far, lifting their elbows off their chair armrests and potentially pushing their shoulder muscles into an unnatural position. This is called mouse shoulder and can cause serious injury over time.

Another ergonomic mistake gamers often make is requiring too much force to operate their controller’s buttons. This can lead to hand fatigue, developing into more severe issues throughout a long gaming session.

As previously mentioned, the first ergonomic mistake that gamers often make is not being aware of the impact of their posture on their gaming experience. It’s essential to keep your wrist straight, and fingers relaxed when gaming, and if you’re having trouble reaching certain buttons, it may be worth remapping them or moving the key closer to your thumb.

Performance

Video game ergonomics are all about improving the comfort and performance of your gaming experience. This includes reducing the risk of long-term injury in your back, neck, shoulders, and hands. It also involves maximizing your ability to play for extended periods without feeling tired or aching. The proper setup can help you achieve these goals while enjoying your favorite games!

One of gamers’ most common ergonomic mistakes is keeping their monitor too low. This may result in bad posture, which, over time, may cause strain on your neck and back. The ideal monitor height is around eye level when sitting in the correct gaming position with your back straight. If you struggle to reach this level, consider purchasing a monitor arm or a laptop stand for your computer.

As the video game industry’s popularity has increased, an emphasis has been placed on developing improved controller ergonomics. These improvements are commonly hypothesized to continue with successive generations of video game hardware. This research aims to validate this hypothesis by analyzing the vital ergonomic features of various controllers across 25 years of video game hardware development.

The results from this research highlight that the general ergonomics of modern video game controllers have continued to improve over time. Improvements have been seen in the actuation force of buttons, housing extra ports, utilizing USB-C connectivity for charging, dedicated extra media controls, and more.