National University of Singapore researchers study healthy aging via continuous monitoring

Researchers at the National University of Singapore are investigating how continuous daily monitoring can better understand healthy aging through the DELTA project. Led by Professor Dean Ho of the Institute for Digital Medicine, the study involves tracking physiological changes and recovery patterns in real-time rather than relying on occasional clinical visits.

As a primary participant, Professor Ho utilized consumer wearables, including an Apple Watch, Garmin device, and Whoop tracker, to monitor heart rate, sleep, and activity over an eight-month period. The study paired this data collection with strict lifestyle interventions, such as Mediterranean-style dieting, intensive daily exercise, and controlled fasting periods to observe metabolic flexibility.

This research aligns with a broader shift in preventive health, where the integration of wearable technology and at-home wellness tools allows for ongoing awareness of bodily changes. The movement aims to transition from reactive medical treatment to proactive lifestyle management, utilizing data from sensors to identify small physiological shifts before they develop into chronic issues.