In the competitive world of swimming, every millisecond counts. Recognising this, PolyU and Diocesan Girls’ School (DGS) have embarked on an exciting journey to enhance swimming performance through the “PolyU-DGS AI Swimtech Laboratory”. Led by Dr Billy So, a core member of the Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports) and Assistant Professor of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at PolyU, this initiative aims to transform training and competition.

Integrating technology and biomechanics

The collaboration employs waterproof wearable sensors and underwater cameras to capture and analyse swimmers’ movements, focusing on start jumps, strokes, and turns. This technology provided detailed data on muscle activity and body mechanics, offering valuable insights for coaches to refine training programmes.

The elite student swimming team at DGS has already started using these biomechanical methods to enhance their performance and efficiency, marking a significant advancement in sports training.

A pioneering collaboration

PolyU RISports and DGS have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the “PolyU-DGS AI Swimtech Laboratory”. This agreement enables PolyU to install data collection equipment at DGS's swimming facilities and engage student swimmers in research trials. The goal is to unlock athletes’ full potential through advanced research and innovative training techniques.

Witnessed by Prof. Christopher Chao, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation) (left) and Mrs Hynn Ming Yeh, DGS School Council Member (right), the MoU for the joint establishment of PolyU-DGS AI Swimtech Laboratory was signed by Prof. Ming Zhang, Director of RISports (2nd from left) and Mrs Stella Lau, Headmistress of DGS (2nd from right).

Professor Christopher Chao, PolyU's Vice President (Research and Innovation), highlights the dual benefits of this collaboration. Integrating technology in athletic training not only helps athletes achieve better results but also promotes STEM education. By involving students in research, this initiative provides immersive learning experiences that foster their interest in innovation and technology.

Mrs Stella Lau, Headmistress of DGS, emphasises the school’s commitment to innovative technology education. She believes this collaboration empowers student athletes to excel in swimming while developing practical skills in sports science and problem-solving through AI.

The team led by Dr Billy So has employed advanced wearable sensors and an underwater camera system to capture and analyse data on swimmers’ start jump motion and swimming postures, thereby assisting coaches in designing training programme for athletes. (From right) Dr Billy So; Ms Sherry Tsai, Coach of DGS swimming team; Ms Rosanna Sze, DGS alumna; Gilaine Ma and Melody Sum, DGS swimming team members.

Looking ahead, the team plans to work with PolyU’s Department of Computing to integrate video motion analysis and wearable motion sensors, aiming to develop an advanced AI model. This collaboration between PolyU and DGS exemplifies how sports science and technology can unite to enhance athletic performance, paving the way for swimmers to achieve unprecedented levels of excellence.