Hong Kong's sports medicine expertise lifts athletes to new heights

Public support boosted

Sports medicine is not only focused on elite athletes, but also helps popularize different sports among the public, Yung said.

The city's passion for sports has been boosted by the two gold medals and two bronze medals won by Hong Kong athletes at the Paris Games, as well as a multitude of major sporting events planned for this year. In November, the 15th National Games will be co-hosted by Guangdong province and the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions.

In addition, the 28-hectare Kai Tak Sports Park, set to open next month, will become Hong Kong's largest sports complex.

Approximately 9 percent of the general public who engage in community sports activities experience injuries, the city's Department of Health reported last year.

This statistic suggests that one out of 10 people who play badminton may sustain an injury, Louie said. The Olympic "effect" has encouraged more Hong Kong residents to participate in sports, resulting in a higher number of injuries and increasing public demand for sports rehabilitation, he added.

Louie said doctors in Hong Kong are extremely busy, and often focus on providing pain relief or treatment for sports-related injuries. However, the real goal of sports medicine is to support an individual's return to their sport during the recovery process, he said, adding that this needs to be done effectively and safely.

Yung also believes Hong Kong is lagging behind in policies related to sports medicine, and "essentially wasting the potential of our professional personnel".

For example, unlike neighboring regions where most professional soccer teams employ full-time sports doctors or physiotherapists, such roles in Hong Kong are mainly part-time, he said. Many sports teams in Hong Kong only seek assistance from relevant professionals when heading to competition.

Yung said the city should learn from the Chinese mainland, as well as Singapore and Malaysia, where sports medicine is a recognized specialist medical sector. This not only provides more job opportunities, but also boosts government attention to the area and the importance placed on sports medicine.

Louie said Hong Kong does not pay enough attention to the sports injuries of the general public and students. Establishing specialist clinics could extend professional sports medicine services to individuals beyond athletes, he said.

Besides sports rehabilitation, Yung said sports medicine can treat a number of ailments through preventive measures.

Exercise is a potent treatment for conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes, he said, adding that a doctor with a background in sports medicine can provide patients with an exercise program tailored to suit their condition.

With more residents engaging in regular physical activity to maintain good health, the cost of healthcare would also be reduced. This is expected to be a new trend in the development of sports medicine, he said.