Researchers in Singapore created a special smartphone app called SingaporeWALK designed specifically for older adults aged 60 and up. The app combines fun games that get you moving, tools to track healthy eating, and features to check your mental health. In a 4-week test with 48 older adults, people who used the app showed better physical fitness, felt more confident using technology, and reported improved mental well-being. The app was designed with older adults’ input to make sure it was easy to use and respected different cultures. These results suggest that well-designed apps can help older people stay active and healthy while also making technology less intimidating.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Can a smartphone app designed specifically for older adults help them exercise more, eat better, and feel better mentally?
  • Who participated: 48 older adults between ages 60-85 living in Singapore, split into 4 groups trying different versions of the app with varying levels of support
  • Key finding: After just 4 weeks, older adults using the app showed 6.5% more physical activity, felt much more comfortable using technology (scores jumped from 3.18 to 3.95 out of 5), and reported better mental health
  • What it means for you: If you’re an older adult who feels nervous about using phones or apps, a well-designed app made with your needs in mind could actually help you stay active and healthy. However, this was a small study over just 4 weeks, so longer-term benefits need more research.

The Research Details

Researchers created the SingaporeWALK app by working directly with older adults to understand what they needed and what was easy for them to use. They included three main features: fun movement games (like Fruit Ninja adapted for exercise), a food tracker based on Singapore’s healthy eating guidelines, and a mental health check-in tool. The app was available in multiple languages to serve Singapore’s diverse population.

To test if the app actually worked, 48 older adults participated in a 4-week program. They were divided into four groups: one group did traditional exercise classes, another used only the game features, a third group used games with help from a health coach, and the fourth group used games while connecting with other participants for support. Everyone wore special sensors that tracked their movement during weekly 30-minute sessions at community centers.

Before and after the 4 weeks, researchers measured how much people exercised, how comfortable they felt using the app, and their mental health using standard questionnaires.

This research approach is important because most health apps aren’t designed with older adults’ actual needs in mind. By involving older adults from the beginning and testing the app with real people in their communities, the researchers made sure the app was actually useful and easy to use. The 4-week test period allowed them to see if people would actually stick with using the app and if it made a real difference in their health.

Strengths: The app was developed with input from the people who would use it (older adults), which is the gold standard for design. The study measured real movement with sensors, not just what people reported. Researchers tested different types of support (coach vs. peer) to see what worked best. Limitations: The study was small (only 48 people) and short (just 4 weeks), so we don’t know if benefits last longer. There was no comparison group that didn’t use the app at all. The study was done in Singapore, so results might be different in other countries with different cultures and technology access.

What the Results Show

Physical activity improved noticeably during the 4-week program. Participants showed a 6.5% increase in maximum acceleration (a measure of how vigorously they moved), which was statistically significant, meaning it wasn’t just due to chance. This improvement was consistent across all four groups, suggesting that the app itself was helpful regardless of whether people had a coach or peer support.

Technology comfort increased dramatically. At the start, participants rated their willingness to use health apps at 3.18 out of 5 (somewhat willing). After 4 weeks, this jumped to 3.95 out of 5 (much more willing). Similarly, how easy they found the app to use improved from 3.01 to 3.76 out of 5. These improvements show that older adults can become comfortable with technology when it’s designed thoughtfully for them.

Mental health also improved. Participants who started the study feeling mentally well maintained their advantage throughout, and those who started with moderate mental health showed improvements in physical activity measures. This suggests that mental health and physical activity are connected—when people feel better mentally, they tend to move more.

Nutrition tracking showed steady improvements throughout the 4 weeks, with participants making healthier food choices as they used the tracking feature. Participants also developed better movement patterns over time, meaning they moved more efficiently and with better form. Beyond health metrics, people formed genuine friendships and supportive relationships with other participants through the community-based program.

The different types of support (having a health coach versus connecting with peers) both seemed helpful, though the study was too small to say definitively which was better. Participants who received peer support reported feeling more motivated and accountable. The bilingual interface (supporting multiple languages) was important for helping diverse older adults feel comfortable using the app. Wearable sensors proved valuable for tracking real movement patterns that people might not remember or report accurately.

Previous research has shown that older adults often struggle with health apps because they’re too complicated or don’t match their needs. This study adds to growing evidence that when apps are designed WITH older adults (not just FOR them), adoption and benefits improve significantly. The finding that mental health connects to physical activity aligns with existing research showing these areas are linked. The 4-week improvement timeline is consistent with other short-term exercise intervention studies, though longer-term follow-up is needed.

The study only lasted 4 weeks, so we don’t know if people kept using the app or maintained their improvements after the study ended. With only 48 participants, results might not apply to all older adults, especially those in different countries or cultures. The study didn’t include a control group that received no intervention, so we can’t be completely sure the app caused the improvements (though the improvements were significant). The study was done in Singapore with its specific healthcare system and culture, so results might differ elsewhere. We don’t know how the app performs for older adults with serious health conditions or those who are less comfortable with technology to begin with.

The Bottom Line

If you’re an older adult interested in staying active: This app shows promise and may help you exercise more and feel more confident using technology. Start with the version that includes peer support if possible, as social connection seemed to help. Use it consistently for at least 4 weeks to see benefits. If you’re a healthcare provider or community center: Consider implementing apps like this that are specifically designed for older adults, involve them in the design process, and offer community-based support. If you’re developing health technology: Involve older adults from the very beginning, keep interfaces simple, support multiple languages, and test thoroughly with your actual users.

Older adults (60+) who want to stay active and healthy, especially those who feel intimidated by technology. Family members and caregivers of older adults. Healthcare providers and community health workers. Technology developers creating apps for older populations. Public health officials in diverse, multicultural cities. People should be cautious if they have serious medical conditions—consult your doctor before starting any new exercise program.

Based on this study: You might notice improved comfort with the app within 1-2 weeks. Physical activity improvements appeared within 4 weeks. Mental health benefits and better eating habits developed gradually over the 4-week period. However, this is a short study, so we don’t know if these benefits continue beyond 4 weeks or how long people need to use the app to see lasting changes.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly movement intensity (using your phone’s built-in motion sensors or a simple wearable) and rate your confidence using the app on a scale of 1-10. Record which game you played each session and for how long. Log 2-3 meals daily using the nutrition tracker to build awareness of eating patterns.
  • Start with just 10 minutes of the movement games 2-3 times per week, then gradually increase to 30 minutes. Use the peer support or community features to connect with other users—social connection was a key success factor. Check in with your mental health using the app’s assessment tool weekly to notice patterns between how you feel and how active you’ve been.
  • Set a weekly reminder to review your activity and nutrition logs. Track your app comfort level monthly using a simple 1-10 scale. Join or create a peer support group within the app to maintain motivation. Schedule a monthly check-in with yourself (or a health provider) to review progress on all three areas: physical activity, nutrition, and mental well-being.

This research describes a 4-week study of a specific app in Singapore with 48 participants. Results may not apply to all older adults or all settings. Before starting any new exercise program, especially if you have existing health conditions, consult with your doctor or healthcare provider. This app should complement, not replace, professional medical care. The study showed promise but was relatively short-term; long-term benefits and safety require additional research. Individual results will vary based on age, health status, prior technology experience, and consistency of use.