Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images

Even if you don't consider yourself competitive in daily life, breaking out the Wii can turn the most mild-mannered person into a grunting, remote-slinging, living room version of Monica Seles (known for her guttural on-court outbursts). These random bursts of faux-athleticism spawned by the Wii (and also Wii Fit) have led to injuries that run the gamut from the not-so-serious (sore elbows and shoulders) to the serious (torn rotator-cuffs and dislocated knees).

With Wii Sports Resort coming down the pike on July 26, a host of new games lies in wait to stretch, injure and strain legions of former couch-dwellers, providing fodder for blogs, such as Wii Have A Problem, that track Wii-related injuries. Can't you just imagine throwing your arm out in a high-spirited game of table tennis? And who knows what kind of injuries are lurking around the corner for those who attempt swordfighting, wakeboarding or power cruising. The injuries people incur with Wii don't necessarily lie within the games -- some even tell users to take a break -- it's the competitive nature of the beast that generates a balls-to-the-wall, 0 to 60 attitude with people who may otherwise not exercise.

That's Fit had the opportunity to speak to Dr. Laurence Laudicina, sports medicine spokesperson for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, to find out which injuries are most common and what you can do to prevent them."Wii injuries come in two types. One is a traumatic, sudden injury. For example, when a sudden jump or twist or a violent motion results in a strain or sprain," says Laudicina. "The other type of injury -- overuse -- creeps up gradually." These injuries include tennis elbow, tendinitis, bursitis and muscle strains, which occur most frequently when players who may otherwise be sedentary either jump into a game without warming up or play for hours on end.

But it's not just the couch potatoes who are landing themselves on the injured list. "Some of these [motions] are so specific to the game that if anyone [including someone who exercises regularly] tries to do them for 20 minutes, a half an hour or an hour -- especially if they've never done them before -- can provide enough stress for a sprain or strain."

To prevent getting injured playing Wii (aside from holding onto the controller like grim death), Laudicina recommends warming up before playing as well as cooling down with gentle stretching post-Wii, especially as we begin to age and our bodies become less flexible. "A good warm up before any physical activity makes sense. Warm muscles are more pliable, more stretchable and more able to perform activities, which decreases the likelihood of a sudden injury."

If you do end up stretching a bit too far to go for the win (or hey, even if you pull a muscle doing a celebratory dance), pay attention to these guidelines. If you're sore the next day, ice your injury for the next 72 hours for 20 minutes every hour, three to five times per day. After 72 hours, complete a warm up and cool down that involves light stretching, followed by an ice session. However, notes Laudicina, if you're unable to bear weight or move an area at all, experience numbess or tingling, you should go see a doctor.

"Starting out with small doses of Wii may provide long term benefits," says Laudicina. "[It's] the same as any physical activity, whether it's Wii, actual yoga or tai chi."The bottom line is that Wii is a great tool to add to your workout regimen, especially if you're apt to get bored easily. "Variation in workouts is important because it provides a different stimulus and prevents [your routine] from becoming stale. Wii is not the answer, but it's part of the answer. It may get people off the couch so they investigate other physical activity options, too." Maybe Wii-inspired athleticism isn't so faux after all.