As reported by Yahoo News on 17/9, the American Journal of Case Reports published a case study of a 25-year-old Japanese woman with a sedentary lifestyle who recently began exercising using a video game.

In the game, players take on the role of a character adventuring through various worlds. To move and attack monsters, they must perform real-world exercises. For example, running in place makes the character run, doing sit-ups creates a defensive shield, and performing yoga poses restores energy.

While performing high-intensity movements such as repeatedly pushing and pulling her head, the woman suddenly felt a sharp pain on the left side of her neck, but didn't pay much attention to it.

Game illustration. Photo: Gamesradar

Game illustration. Photo: Gamesradar

Two days later, she experienced paralysis and loss of sensation on the left side of her body, accompanied by blurred vision in her left eye. Her family immediately took her to the emergency room. Tests revealed that she had suffered a vertebral artery dissection. Doctors explained that the repetitive, high-intensity movements while playing the game created significant pressure, damaging the inner lining of the vertebral artery in her neck. This damage led to a small tear, allowing blood to seep into the artery wall, gradually accumulating and forming a dangerous blood clot.

The blood clot traveled through the bloodstream to the brain and eventually lodged in a crucial blood vessel near the brain's visual center. This sudden blockage cut off the blood and oxygen supply, resulting in an ischemic stroke. Consequently, the patient lost vision in her left eye and experienced paralysis on the left side of her body.

The woman underwent surgery to remove the blood clot and received aggressive treatment with appropriate medications to stabilize her condition and prevent further strokes. A day later, her paralysis symptoms improved significantly, and she was discharged after 14 days in the hospital. The game's manufacturer has not yet commented on the incident.

Doctors advise that regular exercise is beneficial for health, but beginners can face serious risks if they overexert themselves or use incorrect form, especially if they have pre-existing conditions or have been inactive for a long time. They recommend consulting with a specialist before starting any exercise program.

Binh Minh (Yahoo News)