PolyU Department of Rehabilitation Sciences faculty and students support 15th National Games, providing comprehensive sports physiotherapy services for athletes

This November, from 9th to 21st, the 15th National Games of the People’s Republic of China (the 15th National Games) will bring together top athletes from across the Nation in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to supporting the development of sports. A dedicated team of faculty and students from the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences provides comprehensive sports physiotherapy services to participating athletes, offering them pre-competition training and on-site medical services to ensure they are in peak physical condition and ready to perform at their best in the competition.

Led by Prof. Amy FU, Peter Hung Professor in Pain Management, Associate Head and Professor of the PolyU Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, this multidisciplinary team comprises nine other faculty members and alumni from the Department, along with over 30 students currently pursuing Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Physiotherapy and Master of Science in Sports Physiotherapy programmes. The team has developed a comprehensive range of sports physiotherapy support programmes for athletes from the Hong Kong, China men’s and women’s handball teams, baseball team, gymnastics team and judo team, as well as the Guangdong province table tennis and fencing teams. Their services include pre-competition personalised performance assessments and analysis, health and training load monitoring, training support, and clinical physiotherapy consultations. During the 15th National Games, the team will also provide on-site medical support for the sports teams.

A renowned expert with extensive experience in sports physiotherapy and team leadership, Prof. Amy Fu has led PolyU efforts in supporting a number of major international sport events, including the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games. She remarked, “The PolyU team is deeply committed to empowering Hong Kong and Chinese athletes as they prepare and compete at the highest levels. We are thrilled to be part of the 15th National Games, where we can leverage our unique strengths in sports science and sports physiotherapy to support the growth of sports in China.” Prof. Fu expressed her gratitude to the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC) for fostering the collaboration between PolyU and the SF&OC member associations.

The PolyU team has been preparing for over a year, leveraging their extensive expertise in sports physiotherapy and the latest research findings to empower athletes to mitigate injuries and maintain a high level of physical condition. Their comprehensive approach involves conducting thorough assessments to identify injury risks, analyse athletes’ movement patterns and provide rehabilitation therapy for injured athletes. Additionally, they educate athletes on different recovery strategies to ensure their swift return to training and competition. Prof. Fu’s team has adopted several innovative in-house technologies, such as the Patellar Auto-mobilising Device for easing knee pain and a unique shoulder brace specifically designed for judo athletes.

Mr Freddy TSE, Captain of the Hong Kong, China Men’s Handball Team and a graduate of the PolyU School of Hotel and Tourism Management, who will be competing in the 15th National Games, stated, “It is an immense privilege to represent Hong Kong at the National Games, and the rehabilitation support from the PolyU Department of Rehabilitation Sciences has been instrumental in our preparation and enabled us to withstand some of the rigours of competition. As a proud PolyU graduate, I am grateful for the institution that not only nurtured my growth but has also provided me with multifaceted support and care throughout my athletic career.”

Mr Tony LEE, Hong Kong, China Judo athlete and PhD student of the PolyU Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, shared his insights, “As an athlete and physiotherapy researcher, I wear two hats – one as a competitor and the other as a scholar – and deeply appreciate the value of professional physiotherapy in elevating athletic performance and mitigating the risk of injury. PolyU’s rehabilitative support stands out for its comprehensive approach, providing not only expert guidance for recovery but also psychological encouragement that empowers us to persevere, focus and ultimately thrive.”

The PolyU team operates within a unique faculty-student collaborative framework, where students are entrusted with delivering sports physiotherapy to elite athletes under the supervision of faculty members. Students participating in the project have stated that providing physiotherapy services to Hong Kong’s athletes competing in the National Games is a unique opportunity to develop critical decision-making skills under high-pressure conditions. During the course of their training, they learn how to assess and make sound judgments in offering appropriate management to any injured athletes. Their experience at the Games will help prepare them for their future careers as confident and competent physiotherapists.

The 15th National Games marks a historic milestone as Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau unite for the first time to host this prestigious event. Hong Kong takes centre stage, hosting eight competitive events. Over 30 PolyU students and alumni will compete in about seven sports disciplines, including artistic gymnastics, athletics, beach volleyball, handball, karate, taekwondo and swimming. We wish our PolyU athletes every success in making the most of their home advantage and bringing glory to Hong Kong at the 15th National Games.

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