[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
- [For Seniors] Fun Exercises You Can Do While Seated
- For Seniors: Fun and Lively Exercise Recreation
- [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 (21–30)
Gymnastics dance – gentle
June 24 is the anniversary of the death of the original Showa-era songstress, Hibari Misora.
It feels as if it were only yesterday that the entire nation wept when she passed away.
For many older adults, there’s likely a memorable Hibari song tied to their youth, working years, or middle age.
So how about showcasing some exercise or dance routines set to the classic “Yawara” as background music? Of course, it’s fine to use your own original choreography.
Just be sure to weave in some moves inspired by judo, as referenced in the lyrics of “Yawara,” at key points.
Since it’s a gentle, relaxed song, even those who aren’t confident with exercise or dance should be able to take part.
Tokyo Ondo: Senior Exercise
Some older adults may have danced in yukata at summer festivals, right? There are many different bon-odori songs across Japan.
Each region has its own distinctive style, and “Tokyo Ondo” is one of them.
Its lively call-and-response shouts like “Hai-hai!” and “Yoisho!” are characteristic.
The choreography and the sound of the shamisen further enhance the festive atmosphere.
Of course, it’s also nice to dance while seated.
Since this song is used to cheer for the Yakult Swallows, it may also appeal to older adults who enjoy baseball.
[For Seniors] Recommended Rhythm Games and Exercises (31–40)
Care prevention exercises to the tune of Kiyoshi’s Zundoko-bushi
These days, Kiyoshi Hikawa has been showcasing new sides of his charm to the public.
I imagine there are fans of Kiyoshi Hikawa among older adults as well.
And when it comes to his hit songs, “Kiyoshi no Zundoko-bushi” comes to mind, doesn’t it? It’s a tune known across many generations.
Let’s move our bodies to “Kiyoshi no Zundoko-bushi.” The key to exercise is consistency.
If the workout uses a song familiar to older adults, it might be easier to keep it up while having fun.
By all means, try singing along as you do the exercises.
Chaotic Balloon Volleyball
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It’s a game where two teams sit facing each other across a table and try to knock as many balloons as possible into the opponent’s side.
With so many balloons in play, players must fend off attacks while batting balloons away, so quick hand movements are put to the test.
During the time limit, you’re constantly chasing balloons with your hands, creating a lively atmosphere.
By eagerly reaching for the colorful balloons, the game not only trains physical movement but also offers visual enjoyment.
Kenko (Healthy Mouth) Exercises
Being able to enjoy delicious meals for as long as possible is the key to longevity.
Why not try incorporating “oral fitness exercises” into your daily routine to extend your healthy life span? By strengthening the muscles around the mouth and the tongue, you can promote saliva production and make swallowing smoother.
These exercises can also help prevent choking, so give them a try! It’s effective to combine routines such as the “Ui-Ui Exercise” and the “A-I-U-E-O Exercise,” which build strength by actually speaking the sounds, the “Tongue Exercise,” where you stick your tongue straight out, and a “salivary gland massage.” These are easy exercises anyone can try and adopt!
Rock-Paper-Scissors Finger Exercise
Let’s activate our brains with finger exercises! Just repeat rock–paper–scissors (gu-choki-par) and gradually speed up—it’s an easy way to get a big group excited.
Start simple with “Gu–Choki–Par,” then switch the order to “Par–Gu–Choki,” and finally raise the difficulty with “Gu–Choki–Clap–Par.” You can enjoy lots of variations.
If many participants can stand, adding leg movements is also recommended.
Hanagasa Ondo, a dance performed with fans in hand
The Yamagata Hanagasa Festival is held in Yamagata during the summer.
As one of the four major festivals of the Tohoku region, it reportedly attracts about one million visitors from inside and outside the prefecture.
Dancers don hanagasa hats and perform along to the song “Hanagasa Ondo.” Why not try bringing this summer festival from Yamagata Prefecture into senior care facilities as well? You can substitute the hanagasa with a uchiwa fan for the dance.
Using a fan allows you to express movements that look graceful and elegant with either one hand or both.
The dance can be done while seated, and its gentle motions are likely to bring smiles to the faces of older adults.