[For Seniors] Simple Rhythm Exercises: Recommended Songs and Routines

A-I-U-Be mouth exercise to the rhythm

AIUE-BE mouth exercise movie

This is the “A-I-U-BE” exercise performed to a rhythm.

Let’s add singing while doing the A-I-U-BE exercises.

With an upbeat melody, older adults will feel cheerful and more willing to give the exercises a try.

If the lyrics describe how to open the mouth, it also helps older adults move their mouths smoothly.

Many senior facilities incorporate A-I-U-BE exercises as training for the mouth and tongue.

Singing is also recommended for preventing aspiration, as it helps strengthen the throat and abdominal muscles.

It also promotes saliva secretion, which helps maintain a healthy oral environment.

Give it a try while having fun!

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Nakajima Junko

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If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands

Brain-Training Exercise with Songs: “If You’re Happy and You Know It” — A Super-Easy Workout for Seniors

We’d like to introduce a super-simple and fun brain-training exercise to do with the children’s song “If You’re Happy and You Know It.” Basically, while singing, you tap parts of your body according to the lyrics.

Exaggerating the movements can make it more effective as an exercise.

It’s also fine to deviate from the lyrics and tap your stomach, wink, or otherwise customize which body parts you use! Depending on the seniors’ abilities, you can change or add more moves so they can enjoy it.

This is recommended both for facility activities and for doing at home.

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miyabi

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Aiube exercises while singing

AIUE-BE exercises

The “A-I-U-BE exercises” are oral exercises that involve moving the mouth widely and voicing sounds.

They’re expected to help prevent cavities and improve tooth alignment.

After the exercises, your tongue naturally rests in a position that makes nasal breathing easier.

This is also said to help prevent influenza.

This time, let’s match the movements to music and move not only the mouth but also the arms.

By adding motions like raising both hands and swinging your arms, you can improve blood circulation throughout the body and help reduce mental fatigue.

Try adjusting the routine to the pace of older adults, such as performing it while seated.

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Nakajima Junko

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Exercises while singing

Kinta-kun Healthy Exercise: Fall-Prevention Fun Workout You Can Do While Singing

For preventing falls when elderly people walk, it’s important to make sure the toes are lifted.

If you straighten your back and take long strides, your toes naturally point upward when you land, and your heel touches the ground first.

This time, we’ll do a healthy exercise routine while singing the well-known children’s song “Tenohira ni Taiyo wo,” which was also featured on NHK’s Minna no Uta.

It’s a full-body exercise that uses the arms, shoulders, hips, and from the ankles to the toes, but it can be done while sitting in a chair, so you can take it slow and enjoy it along with the song.

Autumn Song Calisthenics

[Singing Exercise] Seniors • Recreation • Brain Training • Health Exercise • Preventive Care — 30 Minutes of Autumn Songs

Autumn is the season when it starts to feel chilly, isn’t it? It’s also a time when older adults may feel reluctant to move their bodies.

So how about trying a singing exercise with an autumn theme? If it’s a seated singing exercise, even seniors who find standing difficult can participate.

Autumn songs include pieces like “Tsuki” (The Moon) and “Donguri Korokoro” (Acorns Rolling).

By singing them during exercise, older adults can also get a sense of the season’s atmosphere.

In addition, exercising while singing can help activate the brain and relieve stress.

If you’d like, please use this as a reference and give it a try.

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Nakajima Junko

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Singing and exercising with children’s songs

Song Brain Training: Simple Recreational and Health Exercises for Seniors — Suitable for Home and Day Service

These are brain-training exercises performed to nostalgic children’s songs.

For “Donguri Korokoro,” rotate your hands in circles and mimic swimming to match the lyrics.

For “Usagi to Kame,” move your body rhythmically with steps in place and a feet-apart motion.

For “Katatsumuri,” repeatedly make a fist with one hand and grasp that wrist with the opposite hand.

For “Zui Zui Zukkorobashi,” repeatedly insert the fingers of one hand into a teapot shape made with the other hand.

For “Antagata Dokosa,” step in place and clap your hands on the syllable “sa” that appears in the lyrics.

Take breaks as needed and don’t overexert yourself.

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yuri

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Momotaro

[Japanese Red Cross Society] Cross Exercises ❤ Momotaro de Rhythm Exercises

This is an exercise routine themed on the children’s song “Momotarō.” Speaking of “Momotarō,” it remains a well-known folktale passed down to this day—the story of Momotarō setting off to defeat ogres with his companions, a monkey, a dog, and a pheasant.

Many people may feel energized when they hear this song.

For older adults as well, a familiar tune can make it easier to exercise while singing along.

It’s a very enjoyable routine, so we also recommend doing it outdoors on a nice, sunny day.

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Nanaka

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