This exercise is definitely the first choice for the elderly to keep healthy

I believe that every child is concerned about such a topic - "How should the elderly maintain their health?" Chinese medicine believes that the elderly's body functions begin to deteriorate, so they are not suitable for intense exercise. Walking is the first choice for the elderly.

The benefits of walking for the elderly

1. When walking, the lung ventilation volume is more than doubled than usual, which is beneficial to improving the function of the respiratory system.

2. Walking, as a whole-body exercise, can mobilize most of the body's muscles and bones, thereby enhancing the body's metabolic activity, developing muscles, and improving blood circulation, thereby reducing the possibility of arteriosclerosis.

3. Walking can improve the excitation, inhibition and regulation processes of the cerebral cortex, thereby eliminating fatigue, relaxing, calming and clearing the mind. Therefore, many people like to use walking to regulate their spirit.

4. When walking, due to the contraction of the abdominal muscles, breathing becomes slightly deeper, the up and down movement of the diaphragm is strengthened, and the "massage effect" of the abdominal wall muscle movement on the gastrointestinal tract will enhance the blood circulation of the digestive system, increase gastrointestinal motility, and improve digestion capacity.

How can the elderly walk to stay healthy?

Do chest expansion exercises while walking

Doing chest expansion exercises can not only stretch the shoulder and chest muscles, but also improve the function of the respiratory system. As you walk, bend your elbows and raise them to chest level, then stretch your arms back with moderate force. As your arms return, straighten your elbows and stretch your arms back again. Doing thirty repetitions each time can have a positive effect on muscle and lung function.

Shake your hands while walking

The hands are the part of the human body farthest from the heart except the feet, and their blood circulation function is poor. In traditional Chinese medicine, the hands are the starting point of the six meridians, three yin and three yang. So exercising your hands is undoubtedly good for your health. When taking a walk, first clench your fists, then swing them forward and backward in rhythm with your steps, while opening your fists at the same time.

Twisting your waist while walking

The waist is the hub of the human body, and the smooth flow of qi and blood in the waist has a positive effect on the body's activity functions. When walking, gently twist your waist to the left and right in the rhythm of your stride, using moderate force without using too much force. It is best to take thirty walks back and forth each time to exercise your waist.

Shrugging while walking

According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, shrugging can stimulate some acupoints on the waist and back, especially the Gaomang point and the Zhangmen point. Such stimulation can make the back and waist blood flow smoothly, which is beneficial to health. So when you are taking a walk, you can shrug your shoulders according to the rhythm of your walking, or move your shoulders in a circular motion while walking. It is best to do about sixty times each time.