New exercise campaign for seniors launched

SINGAPORE — In an effort to encourage seniors to stay active, the Health Promotion Board (HPB) launched its second exercise campaign on Sunday (March 26). to reach out to those aged 50 years and above, including those with reduced mobility.

Called “You Can Get Moving”, the campaign, the fifth in a series of campaigns under the National Seniors’ Health Programme, features seven simple exercises that be done sitting down.

The seven exercises focus on maintaining and improving upper body strength in the arms, shoulders, chest and back and “help to build strength, improve balance and flexibility” the HPB said in a statement.

“We want all seniors to know that they can take small steps towards keeping active and healthy,” said Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Health and Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources about the campaign.

“Through this campaign, we hope to remind them that upper body exercises such as the 7 Sit-Down Exercises are important to help them build strength. We want to let all seniors, including those with limited mobility, know that exercise is relevant and important to them, and they can also reap the benefits of an active lifestyle.”

Along with a poster highlighting the exercises, the HPB also developed an exercise video to demonstrate how each of the 7 Sit-Down Exercises should be done. The video, available in English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil can be viewed or downloaded from www.HealthyAgeing.sg/GetMoving.