In an exclusive interview with Wen Wei Po, Ir Professor Zhang Ming, Director of the Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports), Head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, and Chair Professor of Biomechanics, discussed how sports science and technology research is advancing athletic performance and safety.

Professor Zhang’s team, which includes his PhD student Wang Xin, a 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medallist, employs waterproof and wireless sensors and cameras to analyse diving dynamics. The research focuses on measuring impact forces and pressures on divers’ joints and muscles during different phases of diving, aiming to prevent injuries while enhancing performance. Professor Zhang shared his plans to develop a digital human body model to analyse pressure distribution throughout the diving process.

Beyond diving, RISports is exploring the health benefits of activities such as Tai Chi running for chronic conditions like hypertension. The team is also developing a rapid 3D health scanning system to assess body shape and identify issues such as flat feet and knee deformities, enabling targeted exercise prescriptions and rehabilitation solutions.

The team demonstrated their use of artificial intelligence (AI) and computer vision to transform 2D competition recordings into 3D models, extracting biomechanical data beneficial to athletes and coaches. Their research also includes real-time monitoring of field sports to track athletes’ movements. Professor Zhang highlighted the growing interest in sports technology research, noting that about 70 scholars from PolyU’s 17 departments are participating, alongside the establishment of the International Academy of Sports Science and Technology to enhance collaboration between academia and industry.

The establishment of PolyU’s RISports, an interdisciplinary research institute, brings together technological expertise from various disciplines to address sports-related challenges. RISports conducts research across multiple sports, including cycling, fencing, karate, taekwondo, swimming, with an emphasis on fatigue detection, recovery, and movement analysis. Through its efforts, RISports aims to elevate Hong Kong’s reputation and performance on the international sports stage.

Read the full coverage in Chinese.