University students in Singapore moved less and sat more than adults in their 70s—a striking finding from four weeks of wearable tracker data. Researchers at the Centre for Sleep and Cognition at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine tracked nearly 2,000 people for a study published in BMC Medicine. Students, whose average age was just 20, logged 320 minutes of daily activity, compared with 420 minutes among older adults: a gap of around 100 minutes a day.
This was not a survey of how active people thought they were. Each of the 1,967 participants wore an Oura Ring continuously for four weeks, recording movement, sedentary time and sleep. Across the three Singaporean age groups, the results challenged a familiar assumption: that younger people are more active.
Key Takeaways
- University students (mean age 20) averaged 320 minutes of daily physical activity, less than working adults (347 minutes) and far less than older adults in their 70s (420 minutes).
- Students spent the most time sedentary of any group: 634 minutes a day (over 10.5 hours), compared with 501 minutes for older adults.
- Older adults kept a steady activity pattern across weekdays and weekends, while students’ movement was largely confined to walking between classes and dropped by about 30 further minutes on weekends.
- Reallocating just 30 minutes a day from sitting to any form of movement was linked to measurable improvements in obesity and arterial stiffness markers in working and older adults.
- Singapore’s own physical activity guidelines recommend 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity activity a week for adults aged 18 to 64, a target students are structurally positioned to meet but largely aren’t.
What the Study Actually Found
The study compared three groups in Singapore: university students (average age 20), working-age adults (41) and older adults (74). Students recorded the least activity, the most sedentary time, and the least sleep—432 minutes (7 hours and 12 minutes) per day. Older adults had more fragmented sleep despite spending slightly longer in bed.
Daily Averages by Age Group
| Group | Physical activity | Sedentary time |
|---|---|---|
| University students (~20 years) | 320 minutes | 634 minutes |
| Working adults (~41 years) | 347 minutes | 581 minutes |
| Older adults (~74 years) | 420 minutes | 501 minutes |
The gap was not just in total minutes but in pattern. Older adults stayed consistently active throughout the day, every day. Students’ activity clustered narrowly around moving between lectures, and on weekends, when no timetable forced movement, their activity fell even further rather than filling the gap with other exercises.
Why Today’s Students Are Moving So Little
Why the gap? Dr Ju Lynn Ong, the study’s first author, pointed to academic schedules, digital lifestyles, and the convenience of food delivery and ride-hailing apps as likely drivers of what she called “an unprecedented level of sedentariness in a demographic that should biologically be at their most active.” The contrast shows up in daily routines: older adults build in movement, while students’ days often revolve around screens, lecture halls, and services that reduce the need to walk.
The health implications matter, too. The researchers examined activity, sedentary time, and sleep as parts of a single 24-hour day. In working-age and older adults, replacing 30 minutes of sitting with light movement was associated with better obesity and arterial stiffness markers. Senior author Professor Michael Chee argued that public health messaging has focused too narrowly on preserving mobility in older people, while “profound deficiencies” are appearing decades earlier.
What This Means If You’re a Student (or Raising One)
Start with two goals: move more and break up long stretches of sitting. Singapore’s guidelines recommend 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity activity a week, with no minimum session length—a 15-minute walk can count if it reaches moderate intensity. During long study sessions, stand or walk for a few minutes every half hour rather than relying on one workout later. Plan some weekend movement: a walk, a sport, or an errand on foot.
For parents, the takeaway is not simply to tell a university-age child to try harder. Campus routines, food delivery and screen time can all make sitting the easy option. Small suggestions—such as walking to a nearby hawker centre instead of ordering delivery—can make movement part of the day rather than another task on the list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this mean university students are less healthy than people in their 70s?
Not necessarily. The study measured movement, sedentary time and sleep, not overall health. Less sitting and more activity were associated with better cardiometabolic markers in working-age and older adults. The students’ activity patterns are therefore a warning sign, not proof that they are less healthy than people in their 70s.
How was “physical activity” actually measured?
Participants wore an Oura Ring continuously for four weeks, which automatically tracked movement, heart rate, and sleep, avoiding the inaccuracy of self-reported exercise common in older activity studies.
Why are older adults in Singapore more active than students?
The study did not establish a single cause. Older adults maintained steadier activity levels across weekdays and weekends, suggesting more consistent routines. Students’ movement was largely tied to walking between classes and fell further at weekends, when that routine disappeared.
What’s a realistic first step for an inactive student?
Break up long stretches of sitting before setting an ambitious workout target. Try adding short walks or movement breaks to your day. In working-age and older adults, replacing 30 minutes of sitting with light movement was associated with better health markers; the study did not establish the same benefit in students.
The Bottom Line
University students in Singapore recorded less activity and more sedentary time than adults roughly 50 years older—and the gap was substantial. The practical takeaway is not just to schedule more exercise, but to make movement part of everyday life. Start with the easiest opportunities: study breaks, short trips on foot and weekends without classes.
Editorial Note
This article is intended for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Individual activity needs can vary based on existing health conditions, so consult a doctor before making significant changes to your exercise routine. Seek prompt medical attention for severe or worsening symptoms.
Sources
- National University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. “University Students Are Less Physically Active and More Sedentary Than Older Adults in Their 70s, NUS Study Finds.” NUS Medicine, 2026. https://medicine.nus.edu.sg/news/university-students-are-less-physically-active-and-more-sedentary-than-older-adults-in-their-70s-nus-study-finds/
- Ong, J.L., Qin, S., et al. “24h Movement Behaviours in University Students Compared to Working Age and Older Adults: Wearable-Based Evidence and Cardiometabolic Health Implications.” BMC Medicine, 2026. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12916-026-05192-1
- National University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. “University Students Are Less Physically Active and More Sedentary Than Older Adults in Their 70s, NUS Study Finds.” EurekAlert!, 2026. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1143784
- Sport Singapore and Health Promotion Board. “Singapore’s Physical Activity Guidelines Revised to Tackle Sedentarism and Promote Variation in Physical Activity.” Health Promotion Board, 2022. https://www.hpb.gov.sg/newsroom/singapore-s-physical-activity-guidelines-revised-to-tackle-sedentarism-and-promote-variation-in-physical-activity