This November, as the 15th National Games of the People’s Republic of China—the first co-hosted by Hong Kong, Macau, and Guangdong—take place, a powerhouse team from PolyU’s Department of Rehabilitation Sciences is gearing up to support athletes’ peak performance. Led by Professor Amy Fu, Peter Hung Professor in Pain Management and Associate Head of the Department, the interdisciplinary squad of over 30 members draws on expertise developed since the 2008 Beijing Olympics and has spent more than a year preparing to assist athletes in handball, gymnastics, judo, and other sports.

Their work begins well before the competition, encompassing pre‑season screenings, movement analyses, targeted conditioning, taping, and post‑match recovery plans to keep athletes healthy and ready. Their science-based approach uses motion analytics to tailor training loads, minimising injury risk and optimising performance. The team also employ cutting‑edge tools, including a Patellar Auto‑mobilising Device for knee pain and a portable multi‑wavelength LED unit to reduce inflammation and support tendon and joint health.

Powered by seasoned staff and enthusiastic students, the team blends courtside care with rigorous research—undergraduates on the field, postgraduates driving analysis—fuelling continuous improvement and ensuring athletes remain confident and competition-ready.

Athletes like handball captain Freddy Tse and judoka Tony Lee credit PolyU’s rehabilitation sciences team for their preparation and resilience. Freddy, Captain of the Hong Kong, China Men’s Handball Team and a proud PolyU graduate of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management, said, “It is an immense privilege to represent Hong Kong at the National Games, and the rehabilitation support from PolyU has been instrumental in our preparation, helping us withstand the rigours of competition”. With strong backroom support, he expressed confidence, “We are aiming for a top-three finish.”

Tony Lee, a Hong Kong, China Judo athlete and PhD student of PolyU, offers a unique perspective as both a competitor and student “I wear two hats and deeply appreciate professional physiotherapy’s role in elevating performance and reducing injury,” he said. He praised PolyU’s comprehensive care, which includes technical guidance, rapid diagnosis, and psychological support. Balancing research on pain and sleep with training, Tony’s event mindset is straightforward: “Discard the noise—the spotlights, awards, ceremonies. Treat it like any competition. Focus on your task.” Their stories reveal an integrated care model that blends science, empathy, and immediacy, keeping Hong Kong’s athletes prepared and resilient.

Among the team are physiotherapy students Chin Ka Ming, Wong Wai Shan, and Poon Wing Sum, motivated by a passion for sports and hands-on learning. Though not all active athletes, they embraced the chance to develop real-world skills in injury prevention, quick decision-making, and evidence-based practice. Working closely with athletes and witnessing their recovery was deeply rewarding. The most memorable aspect for them was making a meaningful impact through timely treatment and emotional support, which affirmed their dedication to physiotherapy and shaping their future career paths.

The staff and student team from PolyU’s Department of Rehabilitation Sciences is led by Prof. Amy Fu (4th from right), comprising over 30 members, including Professor of Practice Prof. Shane Hayes (4th from left) and Assistant Professors of Practice Mr Howard Fong (3rd from right), Mr Ricco Yip (2nd from right) and Mr Dereck Fu (3rd from left), as well as students Wong Wai-shan (1st from left), Poon Wing-sum (2nd from left), and Chin Ka-ming (1st from right).

PolyU physiotherapy students Chin Ka-ming (left), Poon Wing-sum, and Wong Wai-shan (right).