The Chiayi City Health Bureau, which is responsible for safeguarding the health of its citizens, is encouraging people of all ages to engage in regular physical activity. In a press conference held this morning, the bureau announced the launch of the “Let’s Move +1” campaign, promoting various wellness initiatives to incentivize residents to stay active and participate in physical activities to win a cash prize of one million dollars, aiming to foster a culture of fitness throughout the city.
Deputy Mayor Lin Ruiyan enthusiastically announced the million-dollar wellness plan, highlighting the benefits of exercise in improving flexibility, reducing the risk of chronic diseases and cancer. Whether following the 333 principle (exercise at least three times a week for over 30 minutes each time with a heart rate reaching 130 beats per minute) or the 533 principle (exercise five times a week or more than 150 minutes per week), the key message is to maintain a consistent exercise routine.
Furthermore, Deputy Mayor Lin Ruiyan pointed out that according to a survey by the Sports Administration, Chiayi City has approximately 40% of its population regularly engaged in physical activities, ranking among the top three cities nationwide. However, for a healthy city, this is still considered insufficient. Studies have shown that muscle mass starts to decline after the age of 40, decreasing by 8% every decade and accelerating to a 15% decline after the age of 70, underscoring the importance of regular exercise for residents.
Health Bureau Director Liao Yuwei mentioned that to promote strength training, Chiayi City has established six “Silver Fitness Clubs,” leased ten sets of “Good Ten Muscle” exercise equipment, promoted strength training in 13 neighborhoods, partnered with eight fitness centers, and organized a “Technology Sports Event” simulating modern pentathlon standards, bringing technological exercise equipment to the city.
Since 2023, the Health Bureau has been encouraging the elderly to exercise through the “Active Fitness Silver Muscle Reward” program, where participants can earn points exchangeable for vouchers. This year, the number of venues for earning points has increased to 60, using a concept of an exercise passbook. Elderly individuals can accumulate points by attending exercise classes where their ID barcode is scanned automatically, storing the points in a “Personal Digital Exercise Passbook,” symbolizing a deposit into their health account. Each exercise class earns one point, with a maximum of four points per week, valued at 5 dollars per point. For every hundred points accumulated, participants can redeem a one-hundred-dollar voucher, with the possibility of exchanging up to five hundred dollars in vouchers. Unused points can be carried over and used in the following year.
Additionally, this year, a “Strength Test Expert” competition was organized, offering a total prize of NT$102,000. Individuals aged 65 and above who undergo comprehensive health screenings at six designated medical centers, including a mini nutrition assessment, oral health questionnaire, and handgrip strength measurement, are eligible to participate if their handgrip strength is equal to or greater than 28 kilograms for men and 18 kilograms for women. The competition is divided into ten groups based on age and gender, with the top 40 participants in each group selected, amounting to a total of 400 slots.
Furthermore, the fourth year of the “Muscle Gain Fat Loss Challenge” encourages teams of over ten employees to join and challenge themselves collectively in muscle gain and fat loss. The competition includes team and individual categories, continuous participation category, and metabolic syndrome category, focusing on the percentage difference in muscle mass and body fat before and after the challenge. There are 100 reward slots, with a total prize of NT$199,000 in equivalent vouchers. Registration is now open for employees, their family members, and friends to join together in this challenge.
The Health Bureau also announced that the third annual “Technology Sports Event” will be held on September 6 and 7, featuring brave participants aged 65 and above in the “Vitality Group” and individuals aged 18-64 in the “Strength Group.” Tentative competition events include space rescue, interstellar navigation, smart floor mat challenge, white-water rafting challenge, precise grip strength test, and smart electric brush car challenge, testing participants on muscle endurance, focus, reaction time, body coordination, cognitive ability, and hand grip strength. This year, a total prize of NT$150,000 will be awarded. In addition, on November 9, activities combining “National Walking Day” and “World Diabetes Day” will be organized for a fun walking treasure hunt.
Elderly residents of Chiayi City can obtain silver fitness coupons from the Social Affairs Department, Changqing Garden, and Orange Generation Career Development Center, which can be used at the Silver Fitness Clubs set up by the Health Bureau and designated fitness centers. Each coupon has a face value of 200 dollars, and individuals can receive up to four coupons per person, totaling 4,100 fitness vouchers, available until stocks last.
The Health Bureau stated that their YouTube channel offers workout videos such as muscle training warm-ups and dynamic exercises. Citizens can access these videos online for practice at any time. For further information on exercise-related activities, residents can visit the Health Bureau’s website or contact Ms. Liu at extension 518 at 2338066 or Mr. Chen at extension 153 at 2254321.