Sports mobile app, free fitness trackers in bid to promote healthy living in Bishan-Toa Payoh

SINGAPORE — Some 120,000 residents in Bishan and Toa Payoh can now use a mobile app to accumulate points after taking part in sports activities or medical screenings, and redeem those points in the form of gift vouchers.

Residents will also be given a free fitness tracker – that looks like a wristwatch – issued by the Health Promotion Board (HPB) as part of its National Steps Challenge, where people are encouraged to clock in 10,000 steps every day.

This is part of the Programme for Active Living (PAL), which was launched on Sunday (Oct 14) by the People's Association, in an attempt to encourage Bishan-Toa Payoh Group Representative Constituency (GRC) residents aged 17 and above to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Speaking at the launch of the programme, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, who is also the constituency's Member of Parliament, said that about 80,000 or 40 per cent of the constituency are above 50 years old.

"I use that age because we cannot start being more active only when we reach 65 years old. It has to be a lifestyle habit and the younger one starts, the better," he added.

"Make no mistake, being active can make a difference to your health… As we grow older, we tend to lose muscle mass. This is why the elderly are more prone to falls. It happens slowly so most don't notice the weakness and unsteadiness."

Under the two-year programme, residents can accumulate points through the Healthy 365 mobile app – which has been rolled out by the HPB – by taking part in sports activities such as badminton or table tennis as well as other activities such as line dance or Zumba.

After each activity, all they need to do is to scan the QR code, which can be found at the venues where those activities are held. They tend to be located within the community centres in the Bishan-Toa Payoh constituency.

Similarly, they can also accumulate points by going for medical screenings such as eye checkups.

Every three months, the community centres will send residents letters to inform them of the points they have earned as well as the amount of gift vouchers they stand to receive. The gift vouchers can be used to purchase groceries.

For instance, if a resident has clocked in between 1,350 and 2,995 points, he or she can get a S$5 gift voucher. Residents can get S$30 gift vouchers if they have accumulated between 8,220 and 9,000 points.

Residents who spoke to TODAY said that redemption of vouchers will serve as an additional motivation to take part in healthy activities.

Ms Khatijah Sulaiman, a 57-year-old canteen stall operator, said that being able to redeem vouchers will spur her to sign up for the app and try out other activities such as badminton.

Mr Jason Tan, a 60-year-old retiree, said that since he has already been doing brisk walking for more than half an hour every morning, being able to redeem vouchers will just be a "bonus" for him.

"I think this method of collecting points and getting vouchers in return will motivate others to exercise more," he added.