SportSG survey shows exercise and sports participation among Singapore residents at an all-time high

A newly released annual survey by Sport Singapore (SportSG) shows that exercise and sports participation among residents of the city state was at an all-time high in 2022.

The new findings show that 74% of respondents surveyed last year said they exercised or participated in sports at least once a week with 44% participating in activities more than twice a week.

The overall 74% figure is an improvement from 72% in 2021 and 69% in 2020 and represents a sharp rise 54% in 2015 - the first year that the National Sports Participation Survey was conducted.

The top five activities among participants last year were walking (40%), jogging (29%), callisthenics (15%), cycling (11%) and swimming (9%).

Singapore’s only national survey on exercise and sports participation, the study was conducted continuously across the year, involving at least 4,500 residents - both Singapore citizens and permanent residents - aged 13 and above.

Insights from the survey are used to help authorities shape sporting programmes and initiatives for residents.

Speaking to reporters at the launch of the findings last week, SportSG Chief Executive, Alan Goh said that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a positive effect on participation levels.

Goh stated “we saw a lot of participation increase during the pandemic because people had time and they wanted just to have access to facilities.

“People were at home and there was time to actually focus on sports and we capitalised on it to come up with program.”

With more people going back to the office post-pandemic, Goh explained that the challenge will be how to sustain such levels of participation, noting “my team will just want to continue pushing the limit to see how we can maintain or even increase this participation.

“I’d like to think that the more we push in this direction, there will be benefits to individuals. They'll also be benefits to our healthcare system if people stay fit.”

SportSG’s Strategy Group Head Lee Huei Chern said the study has shown that over the years, there is a certain percentage of the population that will not participate in sports and exercise for various reasons.

Advising that, moving forward, the agency aims to increase the frequency and quality of exercise and sport among participants, Lee commented “we recognise it is high now, we hope to keep it up there, despite all the lifestyle changes that may happen.”

Adding that the overall survey findings are a step in the right direction, Lee went on to say “it starts us on the right footing towards building a healthy SG (Singapore), there is enough research out there to link physical activities with health outcomes.”

Lee explained that the results are also a good indicator of what common interests are, concluding “It also gives us opportunities to see what else is there (which) we can provide in terms of programs, in terms of events, and be assured of (a) certain take-up.

“That is something that we are encouraged by and I think these are all good potential (outcomes) that we can see with a more active population.”