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Radio Taiso (Radio calisthenics)
A listing is not a recommendation.
Origin: Japan · Tradition: A widely practised Japanese gymnastic method (Kampo Life, NHK, and others) · Movement
What it is
A short whole-body gymnastic routine that began in 1928 and is still broadcast. There are standing and seated versions, and it is often used in gathering places for older people.
A short introduction (not a treatment instruction)
- Start with Radio Taiso No. 1. Do it in the morning, not on a very empty or very full stomach.
- Move a painful area through a smaller range. A seated version may be used.
- Stop if you feel dizzy, have chest pain, or become very short of breath.
Symptoms or aims often mentioned with this practice
- Posture
- Tiredness
- Muscle stiffness
- Balance and fall prevention
- Stiff shoulders
- Stress or unease
Related symptom videos
Research notes (this is not a promise of effect)
C: Preliminary, small, or lower-quality studies, or mixed results. These notes should not be over-read
In an RCT in older adults with frailty, improvements were reported in agility, dynamic balance, endurance, and exercise self-efficacy. The mental part of health-related quality of life did not improve. There are also large observational studies, but cause and effect should be read cautiously.
Sources
Safety notes
Do not start suddenly at a hard pace. People with bone or joint conditions should use a seated or reduced form. Do not do it in a bathroom or on a wet floor.
If you are unsure, or if you have a health condition, are pregnant, or take medicine, consult a qualified professional.
Situations in which this is better avoided
- An acute fever or chest pain
- When a physician has advised against exercise