Pain with DDR

[Vandel.M]

Has anyone ever played and then after coming home you felt sore or your knees hurt what happened and what did you do to fix the problem??

[yukihime]

knee pain and DDR do seem to go together, don't they? Just wait til you get older and have arthritis in your knees. Then it's like OMG why am I doing this!

If you're playing at an arcade? try different shoes, something with better "shock" absorbption; try after you've played x number of songs taking a 5 minute break, shake out your legs and stretch. Might want to look at how you're playing too, as in do you "stomp"? things like that.

If you're playing at home, you obviously have more leeway on taking breaks, stretching, etc. If you're doing the soft pad mod, maybe try putting some puzzle foam or buy a replacement foam insert and putting that under the pad, then tape the whole mess together.

Otherwise? if this is arcade-related, when you get home just gently massage your calves, around your knees on the sides (never right on top of the knee itself) and your thighs.
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[Xanthros]

It totally depends on how bad it hurts and how much exercise you got. For instance, I get knee/ankle/shin pain once in a while, but that's usually after hours of playing 10s, 11s and 12s. If it goes away or aches a little the next day due to tiredness, you're probably fine. If it hurts a TON, or doesn't go away for a long time, you should see a doctor/athletic trainer or something.

I don't really know how to explain it, but I ran XC in high school, and so I got aching knee pain rather often, but usually just due to hard exercise. One time I got bursitis in my knees and it hurt so much more than regular aching that I knew I had to do something about it. So if it hurts so much that walking/running are seriously painful, see someone. Otherwise just stretch and practice more and you'll build up resistance to it.

[Slowpoke]

[ChilliumBromide]

I've never had pain from DDR except when I've blistered my feet. Usually I get out of breath (asthma lol) way before my legs get tired, and by the time I catch my breath, my legs are good as new.
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[stuffmonger]

try playing on your toes instead of flat footing. It take a lot more from your calves, but it takes most of the strain from your knees.

[SuPeRwAcKgEe]

[stuffmonger]

[__]

Wait guys, I got it:

Don't stomp.

Translated: Don't hit the panels so hard.

[littlekev0]

Whatever feels comfortable for you, just try different techniques to see what works best.

[DDRichard]

when i first got into ddr, it hurt my knees to walk down the stairs, but I don't have that anymore.
maybe my body just got so used to it that i don't even notice

[Da-Risin-Smoke]

Soreness is normal. PAIN is bad.

You should stretch in the morning before you leave, or stretch after a short warmup.

Bananas have potassium, which they help clear lactic acid and reduce cramps and stuff.
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[Suko]

Warm ups are critical to keeping joints in good condition before, during, and after all exercise. If pain continues, I suggest that you see a physical trainer and ask them what they would suggest. Most gyms have trainers on hand to their members. You might try there.
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[faqread]

It's normal if you're just picking up DDR or haven't played it in a long time. The pain will gradually be reduced as you play it more often. Also make sure not to abuse your legs too much at one time. Take a break after every few rounds.
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[gothic05]

[doggies4life04]

I used to be an avid DDR player from 2000 playing DDR Solo in the Nickelmania by my house. Kept playing anywhere from 2-5x a week for 1-3 hours each session consistantly throughout the years and just somewhat recently stopped playing. Somewhat recently = ever since I got married 2 years ago and I'm now 23

I'm a toe player, no bar, light heel, don't stomp & 99.9% of every DDR game I've played with my feet has been in an arcade on a hard pad. Just 2 weeks ago I started playing again and have been experiencing some knee pain. I'm sure it has to do with not doing any kind of rough activity for the last couple of years (damn WoW). I still can't play the songs I used to play, but am slowly getting my cardio abilities back! lol I'm playing through the pain right now...hoping it gets better and limiting myself to 1 hour per session.

It hurts more at first, then as I play it hurts less. Then the next day I'm a bit sore, but gets better after a couple hours. Don't know if this is arthritis or just some joint swelling from not being used then being used vigorously all of a sudden. If I find out something that works to help the pain or if just playing more helps, I'll be sure to do a follow up post!

[That guy with the afro...]

Most of the time I just keep at my toes. Only time my legs felt sore was when I did a whole lot of walking without stretching and then playing a round of DDR (about 6 miles of mindless walking, then DDR).
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[feelingzwontfade]

ok so like... today after playing pluto i actually yelped in pain because my feet were sore. oddly enough, they just hurt really bad, more than when I played max 300 and maxx unlimited. anyone know why? also, this knee pain that everyone's talking about... um...?
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[yukihime]

feelingz, no I don't know why your feet were so sore that you actually yelped in pain, but OUCH for you! New shoes? different shoes? were there any distractions like kids running around, loud noises, someone "ape-stomping" that may have caused you move differently or to come down harder on the pad than your usual way of play?

I've had the tendon on the outside of my ankle (right under the ankle bone?) really ache, but that's rare and usually when I've done something really stupid ... oh let's try an 8 footer on heavy. NOT my finest moment.

So knee pain, yes yes yes! It seems to be very common.

When I first started (total newb on beginner - DDR and novice - ITG), was hobbling in pain, then that got better. Go up to light, knee pain returns, slowly got better; now I'm on standard to heavy (just a few) - DDR and still on medium ITG but trying to get up in the 6-7 footers and I now know to take excedrin or something before I start and I still have the ouchies when I'm done.

I know it will subside at least some, but if I'm in the "zone" I'll play for at least an hour straight, be it at home on my craptastic dense foam pad - bare feet or socks so NO support) or the arcade - very lightweight sneakers, but have to hit the pads harder to register, guess cause I'm a lightweight? Yes I come home and rub the aspercreme in. And yes I do stretch before and after.

Of course, I'm also 54, have had knee surgery once - torn medial meniscus and have arthritis in both knees. So I kind of expect my knees to hurt after stomping/moving fast/jumping around for awhile.

Any physical activity, especially if you're just starting, going up a level or haven't done it for awhile, I believe will cause discomfort. Now, if you're at the point of limping, can't climb stairs or walk without severe pain, then it's time to stop and yes, see a doctor!
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