Dr Ng Chung Sien — Exercise Medicine Physician in Singapore

Dr Ng Chung Sien is a sports medicine physician practising at the Singapore Sport & Exercise Medicine Centre at Changi General Hospital and Novena. He graduated from the National University of Singapore in 1999 and obtained a Masters in Sports Medicine from the University of Queensland in 2012.

He has served as Chief Medical Officer for the 2013 Southeast Asian Games and as a team physician, and has been involved with the Football Association of Singapore medical committee and the Exercise is Medicine Singapore programme.

His clinical interests include the treatment and prevention of sports injuries, pre-participation screening in elite athletes, exercise testing, weight management and performance enhancement.

Clinical focus

Exercise medicine & pre-participation screening.

Qualifications (as publicly listed)

MBBS (Singapore); MSpMed (University of Queensland, Australia).

Where they practise

• Clinic / practice: Singapore Sport & Exercise Medicine Centre @ Novena — Novena Medical Center, Sinaran Drive
• Hospital / training affiliation(s): Changi General Hospital (Department of Sport and Exercise Medicine)

Getting to the clinic

Dr Ng Chung Sien practises at the Singapore Sport & Exercise Medicine Centre, with his Novena location at Novena Medical Center on Sinaran Drive, and a hospital affiliation with Changi General Hospital’s Department of Sport and Exercise Medicine. For the Novena clinic, the nearest rail station is Novena MRT (NS20) on the North-South Line, a short and largely sheltered walk that connects through the surrounding Novena medical buildings. Public buses serve the Thomson Road and Sinaran Drive area, and taxis or ride-hailing cars can drop you near the entrance. The Novena Medical Center is part of a well-signposted cluster, so directions are straightforward once you reach the station.

For drivers, the Novena medical buildings have paid visitor carparks; arrive a little early during busy periods and allow extra time for the Novena corridor’s weekday traffic. Drop-off points near the building entrance make access easy, including for anyone attending with a sports injury that limits walking. The clinic can confirm its exact level when you book. For appointments linked to Changi General Hospital, confirm that location separately, as it is in the east of Singapore and served by its own nearby MRT and bus routes.

What exercise medicine and pre-participation screening covers

Sport and exercise medicine is concerned with the assessment, treatment and prevention of injuries and conditions related to physical activity, in athletes and in the general population alike. Dr Ng’s stated focus includes exercise medicine and pre-participation screening, alongside listed interests in the treatment and prevention of sports injuries, exercise testing, weight management and performance enhancement. The field is non-surgical: it centres on diagnosis, rehabilitation, and guidance on safe and effective exercise.

Pre-participation screening assesses a person’s readiness to take part in sport or exercise, looking for conditions that might pose a risk and advising on safe activity, which is particularly relevant for athletes and for people starting or returning to exercise. Exercise medicine more broadly uses physical activity as a tool to improve health and manage conditions, reflecting the principle that exercise is itself a form of medicine. Common areas include muscle, tendon, ligament and joint injuries, overuse problems, and helping people exercise safely whether for performance or for general wellbeing.

What to expect at a consultation

A first consultation usually begins with a detailed history of the injury or concern, how it happened, how it affects activity, and your training, sport or exercise habits, along with your general health and any previous injuries. For screening, the doctor will ask about symptoms, family history and your intended activity. A focused physical examination follows, assessing the affected area, movement, strength and function, or, for screening, relevant aspects of general and cardiovascular health.

Investigations are arranged where they will help and may include imaging such as ultrasound or other scans, or exercise testing where appropriate. The doctor then explains the diagnosis or screening findings and discusses a management plan. For injuries this often centres on rehabilitation, activity modification and a graded return to sport, sometimes with referral to physiotherapy. For screening and exercise medicine, the focus is on safe, individualised activity advice. Surgery is not part of this practice, but referral can be made if it is ever needed.

Preparing for your appointment

Useful items to bring include:

• Photo identification and any GP or polyclinic referral letter.
• Previous scans, imaging reports and records relating to the injury.
• A current list of medications and supplements.
• Details of your sport, training routine and any upcoming events or goals.
• A written note of your symptoms and a list of questions.

For injury consultations, it helps to wear or bring clothing that allows the affected area to be examined, and to bring any relevant footwear or equipment if a particular activity triggers the problem. For screening, noting your intended activity and any family history of heart or other conditions is useful.

After your consultation and follow-up

After the visit you will usually have a plan focused on rehabilitation, activity advice or further investigation. Imaging and test results are typically discussed at a review appointment. Sports injuries often need follow-up to monitor recovery and guide a safe, graded return to activity, with adjustments along the way. Referrals to physiotherapy or, if necessary, to a surgeon can be arranged. Continuity with the same clinician supports a consistent rehabilitation plan. You can seek a second opinion at any point. Seek urgent care for a significant injury with severe pain, marked swelling, an inability to use a limb, or any chest pain, fainting or severe breathlessness during exercise.

Booking, referrals and fees

For a private consultation you generally do not need a referral, though a GP or polyclinic referral may help if you later seek subsidised care in the public system, such as at Changi General Hospital. Some investigations or treatments may attract MediSave use within set limits for eligible procedures, while consultations are usually paid out of pocket; these rules change from time to time, so confirm current eligibility with the clinic. Because costs depend on the exact tests and treatment, ask for an estimate and check your insurance coverage before proceeding.

Common questions

What does a sports and exercise medicine physician treat?

They assess and manage injuries and conditions related to physical activity, focusing on non-surgical care such as diagnosis, rehabilitation and safe exercise advice for athletes and the general public.

What is pre-participation screening?

It is an assessment of a person’s readiness for sport or exercise, checking for conditions that might pose a risk and advising on safe activity. It is useful for athletes and for those starting or returning to exercise.

Will I need surgery?

Most sports injuries are managed without surgery. If an operation is ever needed, the doctor can refer you to an appropriate surgeon.

Do I need a referral to be seen?

For a private consultation, generally no. A GP or polyclinic referral may help if you wish to access subsidised care at a public hospital.

Related guides

• Sports injuries
• Joint health

Sources & verification

• Novena Medical Center – Dr Ng Chung Sien

See also: our editorial directory of sports medicine physicians in Singapore and our shortlist of sports medicine clinics.

This is an independent, factual profile compiled from the public sources listed above — not a paid listing, advertisement or endorsement. Details can change; always verify a doctor’s current registration on the Singapore Medical Council public register and confirm specifics directly with the clinic. This page is general information, not medical advice or a recommendation of any individual practitioner. See our editorial policy.