Hula hooping..a fun exercise that enhances fitness after the age of 60 | family

“Oscar-winning American actress Marisa Tomei, 60 years old, revealed the secret of maintaining her physical fitness, explaining that she practices hula hooping regularly, describing it as the favorite part of her daily exercise routine.”

Hula hoops are no longer just a childish toy that reminds us of school parties and physical education classes. Today, they have returned to the forefront as one of the modern sports trends that combine movement and fun. Adults and the elderly use them to improve physical fitness and balance in a simple and effective way.

This sport is popular among celebrities, including Michelle Obama, American pop star Beyonce, actress Liv Tyler, and basketball star Shaquille O’Neal, as part of their efforts to maintain their fitness and fitness.

What is hula hooping?

It is a physical activity that relies on rotating a ring or hoop, usually made of plastic, around the waist, hips, or other parts of the body through coordinated and specific movements that keep the hoop rotating for as long as possible without it falling.

According to what was reported by the “Health Shot” website, according to fitness expert Abi Singh Thakur, the hula hoop is a fun exercise that can be practiced safely by beginners and the elderly, as it is a low-impact exercise that does not cause pressure on the joints and contributes to improving balance, strengthening the torso muscles, and enhancing cardiovascular health.

The hula hoop can be integrated into the daily routine through a set of simple exercises, most notably the waist exercise, and it can be applied as follows:

Stand with feet shoulder-width apart. Place the collar around your waist. Move your hips in small circular motions to keep the hoop rotating.

Historical roots

The origins of the hula hoop go back to the ancient civilizations of Egypt and Greece, where hoops made of vines or willow were used for recreational and sporting purposes. In the 15th century, Native Americans used the same hoops in their religious rituals to represent the concept of eternal life.

Hula hoops returned to the forefront again in the 1950s, after the American toy company WAM-O inspired its idea from children in Australia, who used to wrap bamboo hoops around their waists for fun and entertainment. The company was able to turn this idea into a successful commercial product by making hoops from hollow plastic, and sold more than 25 million hoops in just the first months of its production.

The hula hoop fashion quickly swept the world, spreading to France, Germany, and Japan, becoming a global social phenomenon, but by the late 1960s, this passion had declined, and the game faced some restrictions, as Japan banned it in the streets and the Soviet Union considered it a symbol of “American capitalism.”

However, hula hoops did not disappear from schoolyards and toy stores and continued to attract children over the years. Over time, the game returned to the forefront again, but this time as a sports trend that combines exercise and entertainment among adults and the elderly, because of the multiple health and psychological benefits it provides.

Benefits of hula hooping for elderly people

As we age, some traditional exercises, such as running or high-impact aerobic exercises, become strenuous or risky for older people, which is why hula hooping is an ideal exercise that offers multiple benefits, including:

• Promote balance

Hula hooping exercises contribute to strengthening the torso muscles, which enhances balance and correct body posture. The circular movement of the hoop also stimulates the vestibular system responsible for balance and spatial orientation, which reduces the risk of falls and injuries.

This idea is supported by a Chinese study conducted in 2001 entitled “The Role of the Hula Hoop Exercise in Training the Balance Function of the Elderly,” which showed that practicing this sport improves torso flexibility and increases balance efficiency in the elderly.

• Increase flexibility and joint health

The hula hooping exercise requires continuous movement of the hips and waist, which enhances the flexibility of the spine, joint movement, and stretching of the surrounding muscles, which has a positive effect on the performance of daily activities such as bending, extending the arms, and twisting.

• Improve heart health

Hula hooping is considered a moderate-intensity cardio exercise, as it raises the heart rate and improves blood flow, which enhances cardiovascular fitness. In a study conducted by the University of Wisconsin that included 16 female volunteers between the ages of 16 and 59, it was found that practicing hula hooping for 30 minutes raised the heart rate to 151 beats per minute, which is equivalent to 84% of the expected maximum. At the same time, the average oxygen consumption was about 20.6 ml/kg/min, indicating that hula hooping is equivalent to the benefits of traditional cardio exercise.

• Supporting psychological and mental health

Fitness expert, Abi Singh Thakur, explains to Health Shot that hula hooping stimulates the secretion of endorphins, which helps improve mood, relieve stress, and fight anxiety. It also helps stimulate the brain and enhance concentration and cognitive functions, which are usually affected with age.

• Strengthen muscles and increase bone density

Hula hooping is a comprehensive body exercise, as it activates the muscles of the torso, arms, legs, and buttocks, which helps to strengthen and tighten them and reduce age-related loss of muscle mass. Moreover, hula hooping can have a positive effect on bone density, which reduces the risk of bone fractures.

When should you not hula hoop?

Despite the many benefits of hula hooping exercises and the possibility of modifying them to suit different levels of fitness by changing the weight of the hoop, the speed of the movements, or the duration of the exercise, they may not be suitable for all elderly people, especially those who suffer from osteoporosis or arthritis, so it is recommended to consult a doctor before starting any new physical activity to ensure safety.