[For Seniors] Recommended Rhythm Play and Exercises
In this article, we introduce recommended rhythm games and exercises for older adults!
When people hear “exercise,” they might imagine something intense and feel it’s not for them.
Rhythm exercises involve moving your body to music, so you can use your whole body to keep the beat, or simply clap along while seated—both are great options!
Start by getting into the rhythm.
It’s important to do exercises without overexerting yourself, so prioritize what feels “fun” and try them casually at your own pace.
- [For Seniors] Simple Rhythm Exercises: Recommended Songs and Routines
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- [For Seniors] Enjoyable Brain Training! Finger Exercises That Help Prevent Dementia
- [For Seniors] Hand and finger play roundup: Finger exercises that lead to brain training
- Hand games that liven things up for seniors—also great brain training
- Energetic and Lively! Sing-and-Exercise Program for Seniors
- [For Seniors] Easy and fun seated activities you can do in your room
- [Today's Recommendation] Gentle Health Exercises for Seniors
- [For Seniors] Simple Recreational Activities You Can Enjoy While Seated
- For seniors: Enjoyable stick exercises. Easy workouts.
- [For Seniors] Let's Enjoy Exercising with a Towel!
- [For Seniors] Let's try customizing the usual Pa-Ta-Ka-Ra exercises!
[For Seniors] Recommended Rhythm Activities and Exercises (111–120)
The Longed-For Hawaii RouteHaruo Oka
A signature song by Haruo Oka, a singer active from before to after the war, is “Akogare no Hawaii Kōro” (The Longed-for Hawaii Route), which was released in 1948 and became a huge hit.
It was also made into a film starring Oka and Hibari Misora, so many older people are likely to know it.
The choreography—stretching your arms widely up, down, left, and right, and patting your shoulders—can be done using just the upper body, making it ideal for recreational activities in care facilities.
By all means, try singing along and give the dance a go together!
Matsuken Samba IIKen Matsudaira
Let’s get moving to Matsudaira Ken’s signature song, “Matsuken Samba II,” well known from period dramas.
While the song is strongly associated with light, nimble steps, when doing it as an exercise, it’s best to focus on the fun and the rhythm.
Even a simple motion like swinging your hands left and right will engage your arms when matched to the sprightly beat.
By combining choreography inspired by the lyrics with stretches for the neck, arms, and more, you get a well-balanced routine that works the whole body.
poetry karuta
Conversation and singing are said to be very effective as oral motor function training.
This time, we’d like to introduce “Song Karuta,” which focuses on singing.
Prepare taking cards with familiar popular song titles and reading cards with the lyrics.
Staff or family members sing the song written on the reading card, and participants pick the corresponding taking card.
After a card is taken, feel free to arrange the activity by having everyone sing the song together or share memories related to it.
Karuta also serves as brain training, and singing creates a wonderful time to reminisce about the past.
Rhythmic exercise with castanets
Here’s a fun, easy rhythm exercise using castanets.
Wear colorful gloves to protect your hands, and lightly move your arms and legs while tapping the castanets briskly.
Since you can do it while seated, you can enjoy it at your own pace and according to how you feel.
Up-tempo songs are recommended! Popular dance tracks will definitely get everyone excited.
Dancing Hero
This is a dance performed to Yoko Oginome’s revival hit ‘Dancing Hero.’ You can do it while seated, so please give it a try! It combines movements like making peace signs with both hands and raising and lowering your arms, cheering motions like a pep squad, and lifting and lowering your toes.
The choreography considers low-impact movements and also incorporates unique actions like the monkey dance and a sumo-style slap, so you can have fun while dancing.
With its up-tempo beat, it’s sure to get your body moving naturally.
In conclusion
Even though we call them rhythm activities, they range from exercises you can do while seated to ones that move your whole body, as well as activities that require a strong sense of rhythm.
Choose exercises or game-like activities to suit your mood that day and give them a try.
Refresh yourself with simple, mood-boosting activities!