The 7th biennial Exercise Is Medicine (EIM) Asia Regional Meeting was held on 20–21 September 2024 at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) in Kuala Lumpur. This year’s meeting brought together 32 delegates from eight countries and territories — Malaysia, Singapore, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Republic of Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand — for two days of collaboration, knowledge exchange, and renewed commitment to advancing the EIM mission.
The gathering began with a light-hearted icebreaker game of bingo to encourage new connections, before transitioning into a full-day programme focused on the integration of physical activity into disease prevention and treatment. Delegates shared national updates, case studies, and strategies to grow the EIM movement in their respective contexts. Inspiring initiatives included Hong Kong’s large-scale community programme for diabetes and hypertension, Japan’s unique Sento Project linking health interventions with public baths, and Taiwan’s “Fit for Age” city-wide campaign to promote active ageing. Singapore contributed insights on engaging government agencies to embed physical activity into national health frameworks.
Looking ahead, delegates agreed to begin preparations for the 2026 EIM Asia Meeting, with host country proposals due by the end of 2024 and voting scheduled for early 2025. Another exciting initiative discussed was the launch of the Emerging Leaders Programme, designed to nurture the next generation of EIM champions across the region.
The 2024 meeting reaffirmed EIM’s vision: that physical activity is not just beneficial, but essential for better health. By learning from one another and building regional collaboration, we move closer to making exercise prescription a standard part of healthcare across Asia.
Medical Fair asia 2024
On 12 September 2024, the Medicine + Sports Conference at Medical Fair Asia (MFA) convened regional experts to explore innovation, injury prevention, performance, and the role of movement in health. The forum on “Understanding Performance, Injury and Movement” was chaired by Dr Victor Tan, EIMS Research Director and Vice President of the Sports Medicine Association Singapore, and featured EIMS Advisory Board member Clin Assoc Prof Anna Tong Khim Leng alongside Dr Fadzil Hamzah, EIMS Director of Community Programmes. Recognised as a benchmark event, the conference provided a valuable platform to exchange the latest developments in performance enhancement, exercise testing, and healthcare innovation.
The session attracted a diverse audience, from healthcare professionals and sports scientists to fitness trainers and athletes. Discussions highlighted how exercise prescriptions and active lifestyles can accelerate recovery, prevent chronic disease, and support long-term well-being. Beyond the joint forum, Dr Fadzil presented on Extra-Corporeal Shockwave Therapy, sharing new evidence for treating soft-tissue injuries, while Prof Tong delivered an important session on Preventing Cardiac Arrest in Athletes. Both talks underscored the growing importance of preventive strategies in Sport and Exercise Medicine.
In addition, Dr Fadzil shared insights on Mediacorp WARNA 94.2FM and Facebook live, highlighting the rise in sports injuries among Singaporeans post-pandemic.
We are proud to see key members of EIMS play such a central role in MFA 2024. Their contributions reflect our shared mission to embed exercise as a standard part of healthcare and inspire a healthier, more active society.
The Exercise Prescription course for Nurses on 18 & 20 March 2024 is a pilot course which is customized towards better learning outcomes for Nurses. The course content builds on the clinical knowledge of nurses and emphasizes on aspects of motivational interviewing and exercise practicum.
Through this course, nurses gained the knowledge to effectively counsel, implement and lead exercise programs for patients and work in collaboration with other healthcare providers so that physical activity may complement medical intervention in chronic disease management.
The pilot course certified 14 nurses from the SingHealth cluster institutions including the polyclinics. With this training, the community nurses will be able to help with exercise screening and assessment, as well as health counselling or coaching. By incorporating exercise into patient care, nurses play a vital role in shaping more holistic health journeys and strengthening preventive care in the community.
EIM Japan Visit In 2025
We were delighted to welcome our counterparts from EIM Japan to sunny Singapore on 5 March 2025. The delegation of 11 esteemed guests represented the Japan Health & Sports Federation and Iwatsuki Minami Hospital. Their visit centred on learning more about Singapore’s Healthier SG strategy and how fitness, health, and healthcare are being bridged beyond hospital walls into the community.
The programme featured engaging presentations by Dr Fadzil Hamzah, EIMS Director of Community Programmes, and Ms Pearline Lee, Deputy Director of Health & Social Integration at SingHealth Office of Regional Health. Both speakers highlighted the growing importance of Well-being Coordinators (WBCs) in care coordination and social prescribing. Pearline, who leads the harmonisation and development of WBCs, shared how these roles connect residents to exercise facilities, community groups, and place-based programmes — providing timely support for individuals ready to adopt healthier lifestyle habits.
Dr Nakata, Professor at Osaka University’s School of Medicine and an orthopaedic physician, expressed his appreciation for the valuable insights and noted that these lessons will inform his ongoing work with the Japanese government in addressing the challenges of an ageing population.
Our guests were also warmly received by Prof Ng Kee Chong, CEO of Changi General Hospital (CGH), and Mr Kon Yin Yong, Chairman of Sport Singapore, at the hospital and High Performance Sports Institute (HPSI) respectively. The visit concluded with a showcase of Active Health Labs, where the integration of clinical and sports facilities was brought to life. The exchange was productive, and we were heartened by the enthusiasm of our Japanese colleagues to strengthen collaboration in Sport and Exercise Medicine.
The ExPro Fitness Conference, held on 8 June 2024 at PSB Academy City Campus, Marina Square, featured an exciting lineup of speakers who explored how fitness professionals can play a greater role in Singapore’s evolving healthcare landscape. The day began with the Opening Keynote by Mr Kenneth Anthony McGeough, Team Lead at SportSG’s Active Health Division. His session, “Driving Healthier Singapore: The Vital Role of Fitness Professionals and Coaches”, emphasised the importance of a common language between clinicians, fitness professionals, and coaches to optimise support for individuals on their health journeys. By aligning fitness practices with clinical care, Kenneth illustrated how exercise prescriptions can serve as a powerful tool in the prevention and management of chronic diseases.
Later in the morning, A/Prof Lee Kheng Hock, Senior Consultant at SGH’s Department of Family Medicine and Continuing Care, delivered a presentation on “Empowering the Fitness Industry: Mastering Social Prescription for Health.” His talk examined the global movement of social prescribing, with exercise as one of its central pillars. He discussed how the fitness industry can adopt this approach to support population health, unlock new opportunities, and reinforce the recognition that exercise is medicine. The joint session, moderated by Dr Fadzil Hamzah, provided valuable insights for personal trainers, instructors, and fitness enthusiasts engaged in advancing the Healthier SG vision.
Professional Knowledge Exchange
On 15 February 2025, EIMS was invited to participate in Sihat Bersama 2025, Jaga Kesihatan, Jaga Ummah (JKJU), a community event organised by the Health Promotion Board (HPB) at Our Tampines Hub. The event celebrated partners who had organised healthy lifestyle activities, programmes, and initiatives in 2024 to benefit residents across the M³ Towns. M³ is a collaborative effort between the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS), Majlis Pendidikan Anak-Anak Islam (MENDAKI), and People’s Association Malay Activity Executive Committees Council (PA MESRA), working together to foster grassroots engagement and encourage residents to embrace healthier living.
EIMS was honoured to use this platform to share with the MalayMuslim community and Tampines residents about the importance and benefits of regular physical activity. It was a meaningful opportunity to interact directly with the community, raise awareness about how exercise can prevent and manage chronic conditions, and encourage families to take practical steps toward healthier lifestyles. The warm reception from participants reflected the growing recognition that exercise truly is medicine.
As part of the event, Dr Fadzil Hamzah, EIMS Director of Community Programmes, received a token of appreciation from HPB for EIMS’ continued collaboration in promoting health and well-being in the community. The token was presented by Minister Mr Masagos Zulkifli and Minister of State Ms Rahayu Mahzam, a gesture that reinforced the shared commitment to advancing preventive health and active living in Singapore.
c hangi g E n ER al h O s P ital 3 high DaY
In conjunction with World Hypertension Day, Changi General Hospital hosted a “3 High Day” event at Heartbeat @ Bedok on Saturday, 17 May 2025. The programme focused on raising awareness of three key health risks—high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol. Participants attended an informative talk by Dr Fadzil Hamzah and Active Health Coach Kang Rui Jie, followed by interactive activities designed to promote healthier living.
The Exercise Is Medicine Singapore (EIMS) educational booth drew remarkable attention, attracting what may have been the largest crowd yet—over 300 visitors. Participants were eager to learn how regular physical activity can play a powerful role in managing and preventing chronic conditions. Many also joined in practical demonstrations, with familiar moves such as squats and core-strengthening exercises proving popular with residents. The event was a meaningful reminder of how clinical care and exercise professionals can work hand in hand to support healthier communities.
Adding to the vibrant atmosphere were students from Republic Polytechnic’s School of Sports, Health and Leisure, who assisted at the booth and energized the crowd with their enthusiasm. Their lively demonstrations of quick, everyday exercises showed participants that staying active does not need to be complicated—it can be seamlessly integrated into busy lifestyles.
The strong turnout and enthusiastic participation made this edition of “3 High Day” a resounding success. For EIMS, this was not only a chance to engage with the public but also an opportunity to demonstrate the importance of exercise as preventive medicine. With growing community interest, such collaborations continue to pave the way for more heart-healthy initiatives in the future.
Since May 2024, the EIMS Exercise Prescription course has been offered as an elective to undergraduates at the Nanyang Technological University Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (NTU LKC) and alumni of the Graduate Diploma in Sports Medicine (GDSM) programme. For GDSM students, an additional three-hour workshop was introduced as an extension to their modules in sports and exercise medicine.
Two GDSM workshops have since been conducted at NTU LKC in May 2024 and February 2025, with participants receiving certification upon completing both the workshop and examination. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with students valuing the short but focused format, the interactive case discussions, and the practical hands-on experience guided by approachable lecturers. Many highlighted that the course equipped them with relevant skills to integrate exercise prescription more confidently into clinical practice.
The course is led by Dr Ng Chung Sien, EIMS Director of Education, who also serves on the GDSM teaching faculty. His expertise in curating curricula that dovetail seamlessly across programmes ensures optimised learning outcomes. Similarly, medical students at the National University of Singapore (NUS) undergo an EIM module through their Physiology Department and graduate with EIMS certification. By embedding exercise prescription into medical education, EIMS is systematically preparing the next generation of doctors to use physical activity as a cornerstone of prevention and chronic disease management.
MattErS @ ItE CollEgE WESt
On 1 October 2024, in celebration of World Heart Day, the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) College West partnered with the Singapore Heart Foundation to host the “Heart Matters” event, and EIMS was delighted to be part of the festivities. Our educational booth drew an energetic crowd of students and teachers who eagerly joined in muscle-strengthening exercises and tried their luck at the spinthe-wheel game. Along with small giveaways, the booth sparked big smiles and conversations about the importance of staying active. We were also honoured to be joined by Mr Don Wee, Grassroots Advisor of Choa Chu Kang GRC, together with event partner Mr Lim Kiat, Assistant Director, Strategic Partnerships & Philanthropy of the Singapore Heart Foundation.
The event’s theme of Active and Healthy Living closely aligned with the mission of EIMS. Campus events like these are particularly meaningful, as education on healthy living begins with the younger generation. Having worked with students at community activities, it was especially rewarding to bring our message directly to them on their own campus. With the booth strategically located near the soccer field, the synergy was natural as students transitioned seamlessly from their sporting activities to engaging with our team.
ITE expressed their appreciation for EIMS’ contribution, noting the value of our presence in creating engaging and interactive experiences for the school community. For us, it was a wonderful opportunity to promote heart health in a lively and youthful environment, while encouraging students to see exercise not just as play or training, but as a vital part of lifelong well-being.
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