Adapted Physical Activity: Light Volleyball in Older Adults
[Research Impact Fund 2019, Research Grants Council (RGC), Hong Kong SAR]
[Knowledge Transfer Partnership Project, Hong Kong Baptist University]
Abstract:
Ageing population has become a trend in Hong Kong and Mainland China. Recent studies have discovered that only about 30% of older adults aged 60 to 69 years, participated in sufficient PA in HKG and CHN (General Administration of Sport of China, 2015; Sports Commission of HKSAR Government, 2012). Promoting physical activity among older adults has therefore become a major priority for Hong Kong and Chinese government. In regard to the concern of safety when promoting physical activity among the older adults, Light Volleyball (LVB) has been modified into a simpler and safer game than the traditional volleyball game. Dr Leung and her colleagues conducted a LVB intervention in 2016 and this pilot study (Leung, Chung, & Hagger, 2018) revealed significant improvements in agility, cardiovascular endurance, upper and lower extremity muscle strength, and physical activity enjoyment among the older adults in the LVB group compared to those in the control group. With evidence showed in this pilot study, Dr Leung and her team successfully received the Research Impact Fund (2019-2024, HK$7,400,556) to promote healthy ageing through participation in LVB in HK and mainland China.
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[Knowledge Transfer Partnership Project, Hong Kong Baptist University]
Abstract:
Ageing population has become a trend in Hong Kong and Mainland China. Recent studies have discovered that only about 30% of older adults aged 60 to 69 years, participated in sufficient PA in HKG and CHN (General Administration of Sport of China, 2015; Sports Commission of HKSAR Government, 2012). Promoting physical activity among older adults has therefore become a major priority for Hong Kong and Chinese government. In regard to the concern of safety when promoting physical activity among the older adults, Light Volleyball (LVB) has been modified into a simpler and safer game than the traditional volleyball game. Dr Leung and her colleagues conducted a LVB intervention in 2016 and this pilot study (Leung, Chung, & Hagger, 2018) revealed significant improvements in agility, cardiovascular endurance, upper and lower extremity muscle strength, and physical activity enjoyment among the older adults in the LVB group compared to those in the control group. With evidence showed in this pilot study, Dr Leung and her team successfully received the Research Impact Fund (2019-2024, HK$7,400,556) to promote healthy ageing through participation in LVB in HK and mainland China.
Adapted Physical Activity: Sitting Light Volleyball in People with Physical Disabilities
[Knowledge Transfer Partnership Project 2017-19, Hong Kong Baptist University]Abstract:
In the light of LVB research, Dr Leung and her colleagues further developed an adapted sport, sitting light volleyball (SLVB) to people with physical disabilities (PWPD). SLVB intervention study has also been carried to examine the effect of SLVB on physical and psychosocial health of PWPD. In a 16-week SLVB intervention, adults with physical disabilities in the SLVB group exhibited significant improvements in cardiovascular endurance, body composition, PA enjoyment, and quality of life compared with those in the control group (Leung, Chung, & Chu, 2020).
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Esports in Youth and Older Adults
[Seed Funding Grant 2020-2022, EdUHK][Funding support to GRF proposal, EdUHK]
[Public Policy Research Funding 2019/20, Hong Kong SAR]
Abstract:
The Esports market is a fast-growing industry worldwide, including in Hong Kong. Responding to the rapid development of Esports in Hong Kong and worldwide over the past years, Hong Kong Government in its Policy Address of 2017/18 described Esports as "a new sector with economic development potential" and stated that government would help boost the local gaming industry and IT development. In 2020, Dr Leung and her colleagues successfully applied Public Policy Fund (HK$673,637) at 1) examining Esports participation rate and the theory-based determinants of Esports participation among the secondary and university students, and 2) understanding public’s attitude towards Esports development in Hong Kong. Go further, Dr Leung thinks of the possible health impact of playing Esports among older adults. Dr Leung and her team has then delved into researching on how Esports is perceived in the eyes of the older adults and middle-age adults as well as their experience in Esports. In addition, Esports intervention has been carrying out to examine the effectiveness of Esports on improving the physical, psychosocial and cognitive health outcomes among older adults in Hong Kong. Combining the theory-based qualitative study and intervention study, it is believed that these research efforts will be constructive in aiding the development of future Esports intervention for promoting active ageing in the future.
Sport Character Development through Empowering Coaching
[Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust 2021-2024]Abstract:
A considerable body of research in sport psychology has found that behaviors of sport coach significantly impact how youth respond to and feel about their sports participation. To help sport stakeholders to understand the principles of empowerment and develop their own strategies of creating a more empowering atmosphere to youth, a team from the Department of Health and Physical Education (Dr. Ka Man LEUNG, Carman, Mr Ching Yat CHAN, Roy, Dr Choi Yeung TSE, Andy, Ms Sze Man TAM, Simone and Ms Ka Man CHAN, Carmen) will collaborate with five local sports associations specialized in hockey, rugby, tennis, basketball and dragon boat respectively to run a three-year project funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust (HKD10.01million).
This project aims to promote a motivational encouraging sports environment for youth by empowering sport coaches, whom will be equipped with necessary Empowering Coaching qualities and skills through training with professional tutors. Upon the successful completion of training programme, coaches will be capable of curating a positive environment in sport coaching so that youth in sports will be able to gain a sense of autonomy, belonging and competence. In the long run, the project also aims to raise public awareness on the importance of motivational environment in youth sports participation.
The EdUHK team will be responsible for designing the project’s coaching and tutors training programme and they will also be collaborating with the sports associations on providing sport coaches with the knowledge and skills needed to conduct a motivational encouraging sport class.
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The Design and Production of Sportswear and Accessories for People with Physical Disabilities
[Knowledge Transfer Funds 2021/22, EdUHK]
[Wing Ho Yuen Landscaping Co., LTD. & Research Matching Grant Scheme, Research Grants Council (RGC), Hong Kong SAR (1:1 Matching Ratio)]
Abstract:
In our previous study, Sitting Light Volleyball (SLVB) which was emerged from Light Volleyball could significantly improve the physical and psychological health of people with physical disabilities (PWPD). In 2020, a study group of 7 PWPDs was interviewed on their perception towards the quality of their sport apparel. Most of them were not satisfied with the current sports apparel that exist on the market. They believed the design of many existing sports apparel have limitations in terms of elasticity, length and fabric which caused certain restrictions in physical movement when it comes to performing sports in sitting position. The funded project, led by Dr. Leung and her colleague aims to fill the gap of existing sport appeal market, and transfer our expertise and knowledge in SLVB and collaborate with a local designer to tailor-make a sport apparel that can eliminate the limitations arise from existing sport apparel on the market.
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