I-SING 2023 International Singapore Intergenerational Games 2023

The Singapore Intergenerational National Games (SING) is a programme aimed at promoting intergenerational bonding and a healthy lifestyle for older adults through exergaming. Exergaming, or interactive fitness games, is a form of physical activity which combines exercise and video games. It has several benefits for the elderly, including improving physical and cognitive functions and prevention of diseases.

Initially launched in 2016 as a research program, SING utilizes digital exercise games to encourage older adults to adopt exercise, enhance their health and wellbeing, and increase their familiarity with technology. The programme was based on the active ageing framework, and NTU research team partnered with Senior Activity Centres (SACs) across Singapore to hold the inaugural national exergames competition for senior citizens in 2016 and a successive series of game competition in 2017.

In 2018, the programme went International with the International Singapore Intergenerational National Games (I-SING), featuring a live simulcast of the final  round of the competition with 10 finalists across five locations, and approximately 500 seniors that participated . The winner of the inaugural I-SING World Championship was 70-year-old Madam Thor Ang Luan (Sarah SAC) from Singapore. The participants and the guest of honour, Mr Lim Teck Yin, CEO of Sports Singapore, were thrilled with the exciting and energizing event. 

Over the years, I-SING has evolved to enables the pervasive adoption of digital and smart technologies for senior citizens through a fun and interactive manner which encompasses sports and the youths. Informed by research findings supported by A*STAR, the programme has shown that exergames can be used to encourage active ageing for older adults aged 65 years and above. The I-SING activities’ initial research findings suggest that exergames had a positive impact on older adults’ mental, psychological and social well-being. Its exergaming programme has shown a decline in social anxiousness and loneliness, as well as improved sociability amongst older adults who played with exergames with youth. The exergaming programme encourages seniors to exercise, enhance their health and wellbeing, increase their familiarity with technology, and prepare for a digital lifestyle, in line with Singapore’s aim to be a Smart Nation. Through the programme’s experiential learning journey, senior citizens from all over the nation learn exergaming, motivating them to gain the skills and confidence to use technology to achieve better quality of life.