![[For Seniors] Liven Things Up With Different Left-Right Movements! Game and Exercise Ideas](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/mh-Ghrr2WgQ/maxresdefault.webp)
[For Seniors] Liven Things Up With Different Left-Right Movements! Game and Exercise Ideas
It’s said that movements that differ between the left and right sides may help prevent dementia or slow its progression.
Doing asymmetrical movements or performing two tasks at the same time can help activate the brain.
Why not add some fun and try them as games?
In particular, this time we’ve gathered games you can play without any special equipment!
They’re easy to do, don’t take up much space, and anyone—men or women—can join in.
We’re also introducing exercises that incorporate asymmetrical movements.
Why not apply them to your games?
Even if you make mistakes with the movements, these games and exercises get everyone excited, so please give them a try!
[For Seniors] Get the crowd going with different left-right moves! Game and exercise ideas (1–10)
one-person rock-paper-scissors
This is an exercise where you play rock-paper-scissors by yourself using your right and left hands.
Because it’s a hand game that follows specific rules, you can get some brain training while thinking about your next move.
Your right hand repeats the motions of rock, scissors, and paper.
Your left hand keeps showing the move that loses to whatever the right hand shows.
Once you get used to it, you can increase the speed or add more complex rules.
It’s a perfect hand game for both moving your fingers in various ways and training your brain.
Try adding it to your regular exercise routine, such as by keeping track of how many successful rounds you complete.
2-beat 3-beat game
This exercise involves moving your arms in large motions with different rhythms for each hand to thoroughly engage your arm muscles and brain.
Use a 3-beat rhythm for one hand and a 2-beat rhythm for the other, and focus on keeping each movement from slipping out of sync.
Because concentrating on the motions can disrupt your focus on rhythm, it’s also recommended to perform the exercise along with a children’s song or similar music.
Once you get used to it, try switching which arm does which rhythm or adding leg movements—these variations can further stimulate your brain.
Alternate different hand shapes on the left and right
A finger-play exercise you can try while seated with no preparation, using just your fingertips.
It’s simple—alternate different hand shapes with your left and right hands—but surprisingly tricky.
Start with easy moves like making a fist with one hand and an open hand with the other.
Once you get used to it, try alternating different numbers of fingers.
It’s also fun to add your own twist, like alternating numbers with an aloha (shaka) pose.
It’s a brain-training finger exercise that lets you enjoy a sense of accomplishment when you do it well.
Left-right alternating number counting exercise
Hand games that involve different movements with the left and right hands are said to be effective for preventing dementia.
So I’d like to introduce the “Alternating Number Counting Exercise.” In this exercise, you raise the fingers on your left and right hands according to the count.
For example, at 1 you raise one finger on your left hand, and at 2 you raise two fingers on your right hand.
Once you get used to it, you can add variations, such as clapping in between counts.
That will make the movements noticeably more complex.
Another option is to alternate crossing your hands as you go.
Get hyped—suri-suri ton-ton!
While seated in a chair, this activity has you perform different movements with each hand on your knees.
In time with the rhythm, one open hand rubs the knee, while the other hand is closed in a fist and taps the knee.
Doing forward-and-back and up-and-down movements on opposite sides helps activate the brain and can also provide a massaging effect for the legs.
It’s also recommended to swap hand shapes and actions within the rhythm to boost quick reactions and concentration.
Once you’re comfortable with the basic movements, gradually add rules to further enhance the brain-training effect.
Scissors switch exercise
Let’s try stimulating the brain with hand and finger play.
In this exercise, you make different “scissors” shapes with your left and right hands and then switch the finger positions back and forth.
Start slowly with “index and middle fingers” and “thumb and index finger,” but it’s surprisingly tricky.
Your fingers end up in shapes you didn’t intend, and you can’t help but laugh.
Once you get used to it, speeding up the tempo or doing it to music makes it even better.
It’s a fun way for everyone to get lively brain training together.
Let’s make shapes with our feet!
While seated, lift and move your legs, focusing on your leg muscles while also adding a brain-training element.
One leg traces a triangle, and the other moves up and down in time with the rhythm.
A key point is to clearly grasp the difference in counts: one leg completes a cycle in three beats, while the other completes a cycle in two beats.
Once you get used to it, switch legs and keep your attention on how you move them.
If lifting your legs is difficult, you can keep your feet on the floor and draw the shapes there instead.