華佗非常重視體育鍛煉對人體健康的作用。華佗說：“人體必須經(jīng)常勞動，但不能過度。經(jīng)常活動能使消化能力增強，血脈暢通，不易發(fā)生疾病。正如門軸一樣，天天轉動，就不會長蛀蟲。”華佗這個看法是合乎科學道理的。

華佗是古代醫(yī)療體育的創(chuàng)始人之一。他根據(jù)“流水不腐，戶樞不蠹”的原理，創(chuàng)造了一種叫作“五禽之戲”的體育運動。這種體育運動就是摹仿虎、鹿、熊、猿、鳥五種禽獸運動姿態(tài)的體操。第一種動作是摹仿虎的前肢撲捉的姿態(tài)；第二種動作是摹仿鹿揚伸頭頸的姿態(tài)；第三種動作是摹仿熊側臥的姿態(tài)；第四種動作是摹仿猿的腳尖縱跳的姿態(tài)；第五種動作是摹仿鳥的雙翅飛翔的姿態(tài)。摹仿這五種動物姿態(tài)，可以使周身關節(jié)、脊背、腰部、四肢都得到舒展，得到抻拔活動。體質衰弱的人，練了“五禽之戲”，可以使體魄健壯起來；患病的人，練了“五禽之戲”，可以加速康復的進程；年邁的人，練了“五禽之戲”，可以容顏煥發(fā)，精神旺盛。

華佗弟子吳普，由于幾十年堅持做“五禽之戲”，活到九十多歲，仍然步履輕捷，耳聰目明，牙齒堅固。可見，“五禽之戲”是行之有效的健身法。

Hua Tuo and Five Animals Play

Hua Tuo attached great importance to the effect of physical exercise on human body."he human body must work often,but not excessively，" said Hua Tuo."egular activity makes the digestive system strong,the blood vessels smooth,and disease free.Like the door-axis,if it turns every day,it will not get worm-eaten." Hua Tuo's view is quite in line with scientific principles.

Hua Tuo was one of the founders of ancient medical sports.He created asport named "Five Animals Play" based on the principle that "running water is never stale and a door-hinge never gets worm-eaten." This sports is a kind of gymnastics,which imitates the movements and postures of tiger,deer,bear,ape and bird.The first movement is to imitate the tiger's forelimb catching prey,the second,to copy the deer's raising of its head and neck,the third,the bear lying on the side,the fourth,to model oneself on the ape's toe-jumping,and the fifth,to simulate the wings of the flying birds.By imitating these five animals,one can make the body joints,back,waist and limbs get stretched.A weak man may become physically strong by practicing "Five Animals Play".Those who are ill can speed up the process of recovery by practicing the "Five Animals Play"，too.The old man,who has practiced the "Five Animals Play"，can be radiant and energetic.

Wu Pu,one of Hua Tuo's disciples,lived to nineties because he had been practising the "Five Animals Play" for several decades.He had smart ears,good eyesight and strong teeth,and he could still walk with light steps at his nineties.It can be seen that "Five Animals Play" is an effective way to fitness.