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The HKSI and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) celebrated today the inauguration of the HKUST – HKSI Joint Center for Sports Science and Technology (Centre). The Centre will explore the integration of research and technology into sports, promote innovation in sports science and optimise elite athletes’ performance in international competitions.

The establishment of the Centre was built upon a strong foundation of partnership between the parties dated back to 2018, where HKUST started collaborating with the HKSI to develop state-of-the-art wind tunnel testing capabilities for the development and optimization of low-drag cycling suits and gears for the Hong Kong Cycling team, which had improved training efficiency and contributed to their performances at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

With the launch of the Centre, HKUST’s researchers will further strengthen their collaboration with the HKSI’s sports scientists and engineers as well as coaches on the development of new technologies, sensors, test protocols and analysis tools for sports aerodynamics, advanced training equipment, and race simulations, in order to optimise the sports equipment, postures and strategies of elite athletes and achieve the critical marginal gains in areas including cycling, triathlon and windsurfing.

HKUST Vice-President (Research and Development) Prof Tim Cheng Kwang-ting and the HKSI Chief Executive Dr Trisha Leahy SBS BBS signed the agreement today, under the witness of HKUST Acting President Prof Guo Yike and the HKSI Deputy Chief Executive Mr Tony Choi MH.

Prof Tim Cheng, HKUST Vice-President for Research and Development said, “Sports science and technology is one of HKUST’s strategic research areas, and we are happy to have partnered with the HKSI since five years ago on pushing the boundaries of athletic performance through research and innovation. With Hong Kong’s triumph in recent sporting events, and the Government’s increasing support for elite athletes, the HKUST is also committing HK$20 million in support of the development of sports science. I hope that with this new Centre, we will not only discover more new knowledge, but will also achieve a cutting edge for our elite athletes to shine on the world stage.”

Dr Leahy, Chief Executive of the HKSI said, “With the support of our key partners including the HKUST, we are delighted to see Hong Kong athletes succeeding in the international sports arena. The HKSI is committed to engaging with expert organisations like HKUST to develop new technologies and scientific methods to assist athletes to go beyond boundaries. The establishment of the Joint Centre tapping into HKUST’s significant expertise in science and technology will definitely help optimise Hong Kong athletes’ performance in the upcoming competitions.”

According to the agreement, HKUST will also continue to develop and provide education programmes – including tailor-made training courses and the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program – HKUST’s signature research programme, for elite athletes in HKSI to facilitate their dual career development.

Prof Zhang Xin, Director of the Center and Chair Professor of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, said that the collaboration will bring about significant benefits and impact, “We will not only produce transformable technologies that will enhance Hong Kong elite athletes’ competitiveness in international contests such as world championships and the Olympic Games; but will also create new knowledge and facilitate our understanding in sports, which could be further applied to the sports industry and the general public.”

Dr Raymond So, the HKSI Coordinator of the Centre and Director of Elite Training Science & Technology, said, “With the great success of our last collaborations of the wind tunnel experiments, it is very exciting to work even closer with HKUST in this establishment of the Center. We aim to extend the innovation and benefits to more sports, so as to assist elite athletes to scale new heights on the international arena.”

The first line of projects includes a comprehensive aerodynamic assessment for elite windsurfing athletes; development of specialised aero-sports and biological sensors, novel mannequins to simulate pulsate motion of a person’s arm and leg muscles; as well as a non-contact system that provides accurate measurements of the athlete’s physiological state.

Over 30 representatives from HKUST and the HKSI held the Center’s first work meeting after the signing ceremony. HKUST faculty presented their latest research findings in the fields of sports aerodynamics, sensors and sports performance monitoring, design and characterization of sports equipment of materials, life science engagement in sports. The two parties have also exchanged on the development, engagement of student athletes as well as internship opportunities for students.