For Seniors: Fun and Lively Exercise Recreation

Finger rotation exercise

Finger-Rotation Exercise for Enhancing Cognitive Function, Speed Reading, and Calculation Skills

Let me introduce a finger-rotation exercise where you touch the same fingers of both hands together and rotate them.

This exercise was devised by an internist, and it’s said to help improve cognitive function, speed-reading ability, and calculation skills.

Amazingly, more than a third of the cerebrum is devoted to moving and controlling the hands and fingers.

So simply moving your fingers stimulates and activates the brain.

Since you’ll be moving your fingers, it might help to gently massage the bases of your fingers before you start.

The motion is simple—just twirling your fingers—so it seems easy to fit into small pockets of time.

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Nakajima Junko

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Alternating finger-counting exercise

Brain Training: Doable at Care Facilities or at Home! Finger Brain Training — Finger Counting Edition

I’d like to introduce a finger-folding exercise that’s perfect for when you want to move your fingertips thoroughly or do some brain training.

First, place both hands open on the table.

Then, start folding your fingers one by one in order from either the left or the right.

You can do this while sitting, even in a small space.

Once you get used to it, try adding variations, such as making different movements with each hand alternately.

Start at your own pace without rushing.

And if you make a mistake, don’t worry—just keep going.

They say that making mistakes is actually effective for activating the brain.

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yamamoto

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Let’s make shapes with our feet!

[Multitasking] Dementia and fall prevention training with different movements for left and right sides

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.

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kappamaki

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Inchworm Brain Training Exercise

Inchworm Brain-Training Exercises: Today’s Brain Workout #154 – Preventive Care and Dementia Prevention

Let’s stimulate your brain with a finger play that mimics an inchworm’s movement.

Inchworms move by stretching and contracting their bodies, right? We’ll recreate that motion with your fingers as a hand game.

Touch the tips of your index finger and thumb together on both hands.

From there, bend one thumb and touch it to the index finger of the other hand.

Then alternate by bending an index finger to touch the thumb on the other hand, and keep repeating this pattern.

The motion looks like an inchworm, doesn’t it? At first, it can be hard to make each finger meet the opposite one smoothly, but working to make the connections is said to help activate your brain.

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Nakajima Junko

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Gymnastics that involve different movements on the left and right sides

Brain Training Exercise (2): Asymmetric Left–Right Movement Exercise

This is an exercise where you perform different movements with your left and right hands.

It helps loosen your muscles by moving your body, and it also stimulates your brain by switching movements—making it a classic form of brain training.

When the movement changes just as you’re getting used to it, many people may feel confused.

Organizing that confusion is what leads to brain training, so gradually make the movements more complex.

If the feeling of not understanding continues, you might give up on the exercise, so it’s important to get used to it little by little with slow, gentle movements.

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kappamaki

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Zodiac Brain-Training Exercises

Cognicise (brain-training exercises): a senior-friendly health routine using the twelve zodiac signs

This activity involves reciting the zodiac signs in order while moving the body dynamically.

The basic movement is to step firmly to the rhythm of the twelve zodiac signs as you say them, and then add actions such as clapping.

You combine movements like clapping your hands and patting your thighs, and the more you increase the number and complexity of these combinations, the more you can expect brain-training benefits.

In addition to simple movements, incorporating animal imitations can make the activity even more enjoyable.

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kappamaki

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Brain-Training Rhythm Exercises

[Activate Your Brain] At-Home Brain-Training Rhythm Exercises

On days when the rain keeps falling, you might not be able to go out and end up lacking exercise.

At times like that, try refreshing both your mind and body with some Brain-Training Rhythm Exercises.

The “open–close hand” exercise, where you switch the shapes of your right and left hands, is already a classic.

If you incorporate finger shapes you don’t use in rock-paper-scissors, the difficulty level jumps up.

The OK sign made with your index finger and thumb, or the thumbs-up sign, are recommended.

If you want to use your whole body, try an exercise where you follow and mirror the shape of your right arm—it’s a fun way to move while engaging your brain.

You can also take inspiration from comedy acts like Fujisaki Market’s “La La La Rai Taiso” and COWCOW’s “Atarimae Taiso” to make your workout time more enjoyable!