EdUHK Hosts the 1st International Light Volleyball Competition for Older Adults
The Department of Health and Physical Education (HPE) of the Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) held the 1st International Light Volleyball Competition for Older Adults on 18 and 19 July at EdUHK’s Tai Po Campus. Co-organised by the Sports Association for Older Adults in Hong Kong, China, the event attracted a total of 12 teams and over 120 participants, ranging in age from 55 to 72, from Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Australia, Japan, Malaysia and other regions. This exciting and vibrant event combined the joy of playing volleyball together with the opportunity to exchange experiences.
The award ceremony was held in the afternoon on 19 July, attended by Professor Chetwyn Chan Che-hin, Vice President (Research and Development) of EdUHK, Dr Carman Leung Ka-man, Associate Head of HPE, and Tai Po district council member, Ms Lee Sai Yin Jeanne. In his speech, Professor Chan said, “We are delighted to host this meaningful event once again, allowing seniors to discover joy and a healthy lifestyle through sport. Moving forward, we will continue to promote sports for older adults, helping them embrace an active and vibrant attitude to enjoy their golden years.”
This competition is part of the ‘Light Volleyball for Older Adults: Classes and International Light Volleyball Competition’ project. It represents a continuation of the ‘Promoting Healthy Ageing through Light Volleyball（LVB）in Hong Kong and Mainland China’, which was conducted between 2019 and 2024. The initiative was funded $7,400,556 by the Research Impact Fund, which aims to promote impactful research for the benefit of the wider community.
The project has achieved remarkable success to date, including the training of around 310 older adult light volleyball instructors. The research done by the team evidences the benefits of light volleyball, including significant improvements in lower-body strength, agility and dynamic balance in comparison to Tai Chi and control groups. Competitions have been held in Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Nanchang, with a total of 530 older athletes. Additionally, 85 light volleyball classes for older adults were launched, attracting around 2,700 people. Finally, in July 2024, the first-ever Light Volleyball Grand Finals for older adults was held.
This is of utmost relevancy to our current project ‘Light Volleyball for Older Adults: Classes and International Light Volleyball Competition’, in which EdUHK has organised 13 additional light volleyball classes since 2024. The team is currently conducting follow-up research informed by the competition that examines the benefit of sport competitions on older adult engagement in physical activity. This competition has also received support from organisations such as the Hong Kong Light Volleyball Association, Malaysia Light Volleyball Association, Japan Light Volleyball Association and World Light Volleyball Club Federation.
Looking ahead, EdUHK will continue to encourage more older adults to actively engage in physical activities, conduct relevant research, and promote active ageing in Hong Kong.
- Ends -
EdUHK Hosts the 1st International Light Volleyball Competition for Older Adults
Download all images
