For Seniors: Fun and Lively Exercise Recreation
Doesn’t a natural smile come to your face when you move along to nostalgic children’s songs and traditional tunes? A popular choice for recreation in senior care facilities is fun exercises that incorporate these familiar songs.
With easy movements you can enjoy while seated and simple choreography you can do while singing, these activities gently support both the mind and body of older adults.
Today, we’ll introduce joyful singing exercises that help stimulate the brain and maintain physical fitness.
Enjoy a smile-filled exercise time with seasonal songs and tunes full of memories.
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Exercise to nostalgic Showa-era kayōkyoku (11–20)
Finger exercises with kayōkyoku (Japanese pop songs)
Moving your fingers while listening to nostalgic pop songs is a wonderful recreation—fun and good for your body.
It might be difficult at first to move your fingers in time with the rhythm, but with repeated practice you’ll gradually get used to it.
I recommend starting with relaxed tunes like Kyu Sakamoto’s “Ue o Muite Arukō (Sukiyaki)” or Hibari Misora’s “Kawa no Nagare no Yō ni.” If you move your fingers while humming the lyrics, you’ll find it even more enjoyable to keep up the habit.
Using your fingertips also helps stimulate the brain, so why not try making it part of your daily routine?
Apple Song Exercise
We’ll be doing exercises to the hugely popular song that every senior knows, “Ringo no Uta” (The Apple Song).
In the video, the recreation instructor jokingly teases the grandmas with sharp-tongued banter worthy of Santayū Tokumatsu (Dokumamushi), which is pretty funny.
Without playing the original audio, they sing together at a tempo that makes it easy for seniors to move, so fewer people get left behind.
And because they move their bodies while singing, it seems like both the body and the brain can get refreshed.
The Bride of Seto
This is an exercise routine performed to “Seto no Hanayome,” a signature song by Rumiko Koyanagi that depicts the beautiful scenery of the Seto Inland Sea.
Set to a gentle sound, it strengthens the body through simple movements.
A key point is that the large motions can be done even while seated.
It’s a unique routine that incorporates elements like the calm waves of the Seto Inland Sea and the motion of rowing a boat.
If you explain the meaning behind the motions, participants may become more conscious of making larger movements.
For those who know the song, doing the exercises while singing along makes training more enjoyable, so it’s highly recommended.
Rhythmic gymnastics at Blue Light Yokohama
Released in 1968, “Blue Light Yokohama” is one of the signature songs of the Showa era.
Many older adults have likely sung it at karaoke or heard it on TV or the radio.
Let’s try some rhythmic exercises with this familiar tune.
Since the song portrays a couple in love, it could be fun to incorporate movements that match the lyrics.
Older adults might feel nostalgic, recalling the time when this song was popular as they exercise.
You could even sing along while doing the exercises.
Seated Rhythm Exercises to Classic Showa-Era Hits
This time, we’ll introduce a singing exercise routine that moves your body to nostalgic Showa-era classics.
Since it involves physical movement, it’s best to start with songs at a slower tempo.
When you move your body to music, your brain continuously engages in activities like keeping rhythm, coordinating movement, and deciding what to do next.
Because of this, the abundant stimulation activates the brain and is said to offer cognitive training benefits.
Once you get used to it, adding singing while you move can further stimulate your brain.
Do it within a comfortable range, and enjoy yourself as you go.
Rhythmic gymnastics on a journey of the heart
Let me introduce a rhythm exercise you can do on a gentle, melody-filled journey of the heart.
While seated, clap along with the song and alternately touch the insides of your knees.
Cross your arms in front of your chest as if placing your hands on your shoulders.
Moving your feet in step as well may also serve as a good workout for the brain.
The key is to move your whole body with large motions, but only within a comfortable, enjoyable range.
When you move, try to include your facial expressions and feelings too—you may find it even more fun to sing your heart’s journey.
Northern Country Spring Exercises
We would like to introduce an exercise set to the classic song “Kitaguni no Haru,” which most older adults are likely familiar with.
March in place during the intro, then raise and lower your hands, do open-and-close (grip-and-release) movements, and tap your hands, shoulders, and knees.
There are also twisting motions for the neck and torso, so be careful not to overexert yourself.
It’s a good idea to review the movements beforehand if it’s your first time.
When doing this as a recreation activity at a senior facility, giving prompts such as “Next is marching in place,” each time will make it more enjoyable.