VOA常速英语2008年-Nintendo Wii Has More Uses Than Just as Game

By Tony Budny
Washington, DC
08 February 2008
 

Nintendo's popular Wii game system has sold more than 20 million units around the world.  Its popularity comes from a unique wand-like device that players use to control a video game. Some players have suffered injuries while using the device, but others have benefited. Elderly people use the Wii to stay active and some doctors use it to train for surgery. VOA's Tony Budny has the story. 

The concept of the Wii is simple: move the controller to play the games.  Want to play tennis?  Serve just like a pro¹.  Feel like bowling²?  Twist the controller and roll a strike.

Its unique motion excites people besides video game fans.  It can help seniors stay active, maintain range of motion and play sports given up years ago.  Doris Meyer is 70. She says she moves more. "It's good because you get up out of your chair and you move around," she said.

Dr. Roland Lascari is medical director at a retirement³ community. He says he sees the benefits for seniors.  "Now they can participate in these sports that they always participated in, but with a little less stress to their bodies."

The Wii can also help those rehabilitating⁴ from injuries. Patients can make real-life movements in a safe environment and regain⁵ some motion.  Occupational therapist Jennifer Smith says even patients with serious injuries can benefit. "I've seen spinal⁶ cord patients really regain the ability to move, gain movement from everything. That helps them wash their face, brush their teeth, to get in and out of the chair or to start a car."

A doctor in Arizona has begun using the Wii to help train surgeons. Dr. Kanov Kahol attaches a probe to the end of the controller and has his surgeons use it to practice the delicate movements of real surgery.  Dr. Kahol explains, "We're looking for precise fine motor control movement."

But for those who use the device for fun, be careful.  Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Shawn Mansour warns the Wii has its drawbacks.  "They're swinging their controllers, hitting ceiling fans, hitting other people, you know, cutting their hands up, all sorts of potentially devastating⁷ type injuries," he said.

Still, if played properly, it can be a lot of fun.

1 pro   

n.赞成，赞成的意见，赞成者

参考例句：

• The two debating teams argued the question pro and con.辩论的两组从赞成与反对两方面辩这一问题。
• Are you pro or con nuclear disarmament?你是赞成还是反对核裁军？

2 bowling   

n.保龄球运动

参考例句：

• Bowling is a popular sport with young and old.保龄球是老少都爱的运动。
• Which sport do you 1ike most,golf or bowling?你最喜欢什么运动，高尔夫还是保龄球？

3 retirement   

n.退休，退职

参考例句：

• She wanted to enjoy her retirement without being beset by financial worries.她想享受退休生活而不必为金钱担忧。
• I have to put everything away for my retirement.我必须把一切都积蓄起来以便退休后用。

4 rehabilitating   

改造（罪犯等）( rehabilitate的现在分词 )； 使恢复正常生活； 使恢复原状； 修复

参考例句：

• a unit for rehabilitating drug addicts 帮助吸毒者恢复正常生活的机构
• She was more concerned about protecting the public than rehabilitating the criminal. 她比较关心保护百姓，而不大关心改造罪犯。

5 regain   

vt.重新获得，收复，恢复

参考例句：

• He is making a bid to regain his World No.1 ranking.他正为重登世界排名第一位而努力。
• The government is desperate to regain credibility with the public.政府急于重新获取公众的信任。

6 spinal   

adj.针的，尖刺的，尖刺状突起的；adj.脊骨的，脊髓的

参考例句：

• After three days in Japan,the spinal column becomes extraordinarily flexible.在日本三天，就已经使脊椎骨变得富有弹性了。
• Your spinal column is made up of 24 movable vertebrae.你的脊柱由24个活动的脊椎骨构成。

7 devastating   

adj.毁灭性的，令人震惊的，强有力的

参考例句：

• It is the most devastating storm in 20 years.这是20年来破坏性最大的风暴。
• Affairs do have a devastating effect on marriages.婚外情确实会对婚姻造成毁灭性的影响。