The College of Physiotherapists in Badajoz has alerted the public to the risk spending an excessive amount of time playing video games.

Young people, who are the ones who tend to play in excess, are at the greatest risk of straining muscles, tendons and ligaments as well creating pains in their fingers, wrists, elbows and backs.

Juan José Jiménez Merino, the president of the Badajoz college of physios, explained that tendonitis and chronis stiffness in the joints were particularly common in thumbs as a result of pressing the video game controls.

He also outlined the problems caused to shoulders, elbows, wrists and backs as a result of 'poor posture' and recommended sitting 'comfortably with a back rest, forearms resting on a table, feet on the floor or on a footrest that helps keep the spine in line'.

The importance of being able to see the screen 'without having to twist or bend the neck' and of changing position every half an hour or so was also underlined.

Jiménez also added a couple of tips for keeping the spine aligned over the summer, reminding sunbathers to take a second towel with them to roll up and put under the knees when lying on one's back or to put under one's tummy when lying face down.  This allows the spine to rest and avoids injuries.