Fitness awards given out to those who lead active lifestyles

FIVE hundred brisk walkers from Bukit Panjang were the first of some 7,000 to receive awards for their sustained active lifestyles.

These are under the inaugural Health Promotion Board Fitness Awards which uses new health indicators developed following a joint study conducted with Republic Polytechnic.

Where previously a 2km walk was part of the fitness assessment, the study verified the accurate determination of fitness levels in the local population in less than a minute without the need to take an actual exercise test.

This is done through computation of the individual's gender, age, body mass index, resting heart rate and amount of physical activity and then translating the results into a fitness score.

Scores are then translated into Gold, Silver and Bronze awards.

Guest-of-Honour Dr Teo Ho Pin, Mayor of North West District and MP of Bukit Panjang, said he was pleased to see the success of the programme, "where our brisk walkers are bonded together and recognised for regular participation in our healthy lifestyle programmes".

He added: "I strongly encourage our brisk walkers to continue their healthy lifestyle and make conscious efforts to improve upon their fitness levels."

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