Physicians at Kyoto University Hospital have developed a new way of doing exercises while remaining seated and have started marketing the system -- dubbed "chair-robics" -- on video.
First developed as a form of physiotherapy for patients, the exercises, which model the rhythmic movements of aerobics, are said to be effective in preventing and treating a range of adult diseases, including diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure.
"The results have been medically tested," said Tatsuya Hayashi, a physician at Kyoto University Hospital who played a central role in the project.
Hayashi said the exercises, which involve moving the arms and legs rhythmically to music, have evolved from a physiotherapeutic model the hospital introduced in April last year.
A 20-minute session of seated aerobics burns off 50 kilocalories of energy, Hayashi says, adding that the result is similar to walking exercise.
The exercise video, with an instruction booklet, is priced at 3,990 yen, including tax.