MCYS MEDIA RELEASE NO: 24/2008

DATE OF ISSUE: 05/03/2008

5 March 2008

MEDIA RELEASE

COMMITTEE TO DEVELOP BLUEPRINT TO PROMOTE PHYSICAL

ACTIVITIES FOR SENIORS

A Seniors for Physical Activity (SPA) Committee will be formed to develop

a national blueprint that would facilitate and promote physical activities for
seniors. Chaired by Minister of State for Health, Mr Heng Chee How, this will be
the first public-private-people (3P) committee to promote physical activity for
seniors.

2 With the 3P involvement, a wide range of programmes and options can be

made available for seniors across lifestyles and preferences, cutting possibly
across qigong to gyms to even gardening. The Committee will look at ways to
enhance synergy and coordination across agencies, covering the ‘software’
aspects of programmes and activities, and the ‘hardware’, which covers HDB
towns, parks, recreational facilities and the built environment. Agencies that will
be involved include People’s Association, Singapore Sports Council, Health
Promotion Board, National Parks Board, Housing and Development Board,
Council for Third Age, fitness clubs and others. This holistic approach ensures
that physical activities will be worked into the lifestyles for seniors.

3 According to the National Health Survey conducted in 2004, only one in

four seniors were engaged in regular physical activity1. Hence, the Committee
hopes to develop messages that are relevant to and resonate with seniors. The
Committee will also examine how to enhance research and programme
development, so that Singapore can harness the fruits of an evidence-based
approach in programmes for physical activity.

4 Regular physical activities enhance physical and mental wellbeing. The

two most common mental health concerns for seniors are dementia and
depression. Physical activity can help reduce stroke, which can cause
cardiovascular dementia or hasten disease progression for those with
1
“Regular Physical Activity” is defined as participation in any form of sports or exercise for at
least 20 minutes per occasion, for 3 or more days a week.
Alzheimer’s. Depression in seniors can occur when there is a loss of physical
capability and when ill health sets in. As keeping physically active reduces the
risk of falling chronically ill or losing physical capability, it can play a critical role in
reducing depression among seniors. Many physical activities also involve social
bonding, which provides emotional support for seniors.

5 The SPA Committee is expected to start work in April 08. It will present its
report to the Ministerial Committee on Ageing chaired by Minister in the Prime
Minister’s Office, Mr Lim Boon Heng. Secretariat support for SPA will be
provided by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports.

ISSUED BY
MINISTRY OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, YOUTH AND SPORTS