Feet/leg pains while playing DDR

[Deposeni]

I've been playing DDR for about a month now *Reguraly, at least*, and I can do 200 BPMs with no problem, I can play for an hour without having any breathing problems, or loosing much stamina (All the songs I play are 160+ bpm); but I can only play for about an hour, before my feet and legs start to get the point that I just can't stand the pain anymore.

Obviously, that sounds REALLY bad - but let explain something first: For 2 years, up until a month ago, I had just sat at the computer, only getting up to eat/shower/walk to bed... Could this of caused my legs/ankles/feet to get so weak, that playing DDR hurts them?

If so, what can I do to fix this problem? I LOVE playing DDR, and its helped me loose 6lb in 4 days (Well, Step Mania, at least), but the pain is just SO BAD, I can barely walk for about 12-16 hours... After 24 hours, I'm USUALLY fit enough I can play for another hour (Then the process starts up again )

If anyone has had this problem, or knows some type of strech/way I can build up muscle in my leg (Between my knee cap and ankle), my ankle, and my feet - I'd be most grateful.



Oops! Almost forgot to mention, I do a lot of streching before/after I play DDR... But it doesn't seem to help.




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I just want to confirm that this isn't anything serious (And I'm not the only one who has had this problem), I really love playing DDR, its probably one of the few computer/console games I find fun now'a'days.

[Slowpoke]

You should never play to the point where the pain is so bad you can barely walk. It sounds like you're repeatedly injuring yourself and not allowing sufficient time to heal. When you're talking about the area between your kneecap and ankle, did you mean your calf or your shin? If you're talking about your shin, you could be developing a case of shin splints, which could become even worse if you don't take it easier.

Another thing to think about is the way you step. If you play on your toes, this puts more stress on your feet, ankles, and calves than playing flat-footed does. I've also found that trying to play "quietly" (ie if you're in an apartment, or if it's late at night) is also much more stressful to your muscles because you're trying to absorb all the shocks with your legs. Do either of these apply to you?

[wesdives]

Depends on how old you are, but the fastest way to get over that point is to do what you're doing, keep playing long intervals, but maybe quit a little bit earlier. Maybe throw a harder song in the middle of playing and then round it out with a few slower, easier ones.
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Matrix + DDR:
"Do you believe that my being faster, or having more stamina, has anything to do with my rhythm, in this place. You think that's Stepmania you're playing now? hmph"

[Pantera]

When you're just starting, playing fast and relatively difficult (for you) songs for an hour straight is bound to make your legs hurt...hell, after about 3 months I doubt I can keep it up for an hour straight without taking some 5-10 minute breaks.
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[Oolong]

don't push yourself so much. it will get better every time you play.
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"If there were a country in the world called Funia, Disco House would be its national anthem, as well as the name of its capital city. I was once walking down the street late one night when a hooker called to me from the curb, asking me if I was looking for some fun. "No thanks, Miss" I replied, pulling out a set of headphones. "I've got Disco House, the most fun there is." - Ishkur

[Deposeni]

Errr... Yeah, my Shins.


So basically, just take 5 minute breaks after every other song or so? The muscle will build up naturally (but after a long time)?

[Slowpoke]

If it's shin splints, you don't fix it by building up muscle. Stronger and more flexible muscles will help PREVENT it, but once you're experiencing symptoms, the treatment is rest and ice.

[Oolong]

oh. if it's your shins, then yeah, you should take it easy. i assumed you were talking about generalized pain.
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"If there were a country in the world called Funia, Disco House would be its national anthem, as well as the name of its capital city. I was once walking down the street late one night when a hooker called to me from the curb, asking me if I was looking for some fun. "No thanks, Miss" I replied, pulling out a set of headphones. "I've got Disco House, the most fun there is." - Ishkur

[AFAD]

Sometimes when I clear a 10 footer my legs go numb.
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[slik]

Well, eat rice.

But really though sometimes when I play sets over and over my ankles begin to hurt. So the solution I found for that problem was when I play a set do something else afterwards for a little bit so it doesn't put so much stress on my ankles and stuff.

And yeah when you do catas sometimes.. you will get the "numb" feeling in your legs. Just try to not play repeatedly.

[MZDA]

[dabomb5001]

You know when your playing a level 10 or a hard cata and your legs are hurting like hell but you force yourself through the song anyway and right after your legs hurt like hell?

[Dancin vamp]

I know what you mean.I once did Paranoia on Maniac and my legs felt like a shotgun hit em.I could barley walk to the coutch

[dmneoblade]

Well, back to the topic...

I would do 2 things:
1: Dance lighter on your feet. Think balet, not stomping the pad into the ground. This will also keep your pad in better condition.
2: Get a check-up from your doctor. You may have a ankle problem leading to it.
I have feet problems myself, found out about a year ago. I went to the doctor and had my feet checked out. I had flat feet (no surprise) and a condition called "Pronitis." I few weeks later I was wearing boots with orthropedics in them, and now I can play DDR for about 2 hours without feeling pain. Playing Heavy, of course.

[2kM]

Three things to remeber,

1) Tippy toes - stand on your tip toes no matter what the arrow is
2) SHOWER! - take a shower after every ddr session
3) Eat ! - eat stuff that will fill you up, give you energy, and not wear you down.

If you feel pain, do one more song then stop for the day, the muscles will build up.
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[ZeroXH]

sorry maesce!

[Xo Steveo oX]

Oh god... this is meant for the creator of this thread. if ur playing that much, i suggest you invest some cash into a massager, like the vibrating ones or just anything. they do help and u actually feel rejuvenated when u step back on ur pad. and oh yeah....... if u cant go on because of the pain, stop before that happens.
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[ZeroXH]

yes, it is for the thread creator but the topic is leg pain and all can share their pains & solutions. I may be 14 yrs old but I play on Heavy and can Relate to having leg and feet pains. Maesce already said one really important thing, play on your toes- it helps put less strain on your feet and you could play swifter like that too,stomping does not increase your playing ability it kills the pad.But if the pad doesnt react to your steps after playing on your toes a.step harder b. alternate between both steps

[Antipathy]

by big toes hurt after a while
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'nuff said

[princessangelic]

If its shins it is definately from stomping. You dont need to stomp to get perfects. Its the same thing as running you can get shin splints from ddr if you stomp too much.
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