Golden years, golden moves: light volleyball for active ageing
Like regular volleyball, LVB also requires cooperation and trust among players. To score a point, players must work together seamlessly through passing, setting, and hitting.
All participating LVB teams and members of the organising committee pose for a group photo.
Players from the Hong Kong team, on the left, intercepts the ball coming from the opponent’s side.
The Department of Health and Physical Education (HPE) at EdUHK hosted the inaugural International Light Volleyball Competition for Older Adults on 18 and 19 July at the Tai Po campus. Co-organised with the Sports Association for Older Adults in Hong Kong, China, the event brought together 12 teams and over 120 participants, aged between 55 and 72, from Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Australia, Japan, Malaysia and beyond. The two-day tournament was a lively celebration of wellness, teamwork, and cultural exchange through sports.
At the award ceremony on 19 July, Professor Chetwyn Chan Che-hin, Vice President (Research and Development) of EdUHK, joined Dr Carman Leung Ka-man, Associate Head of HPE, and Tai Po District Council member, Ms Jeanne Lee Sai-yin to congratulate the athletes. In his address, Professor Chan highlighted the university’s commitment to promoting sports for seniors, noting, “This meaningful event helps seniors to discover joy and a healthy lifestyle through sport. We will continue to encourage participation in sport, enabling seniors to live their golden years with vitality.”
The event forms part of the ongoing initiative “Light Volleyball for Older Adults: Classes and International Light Volleyball Competition”, which follows on from the earlier “Promoting Healthy Ageing through Light Volleyball (LVB) in Hong Kong and Mainland China” project. Supported by HK$7,400,556 in funding from the Research Impact Fund (RIF), the earlier project aims to improve public health and strengthen knowledge transfer through applied research.
Professor Chetwyn Chan Che-hin, Vice President (Research and Development), fifth from left, poses with players from VRAY Light Volleyball Club of New Zealand, champions at grassroots level. Jane is third from the right and AJ is fourth from the left.
Professor Chetwyn Chan Che-hin, Vice President (Research and Development), fifth from left, poses with players from Shenzhen Team 1, champions at the elite level.
Jane from the VRAY Light Volleyball Club in New Zealand shared her thoughts after the competition, “LVB is great for older adults because the ball is light, moves slower, and can be played in teams. It supports our mental wellbeing.” AJ, her teammate, said, “LVB is easy to learn and not too tiring. It is gentle on our bodies but keeps us healthy and active.” Both expressed appreciation to the organisers for arranging the international competition, and encouraged senior citizens to join the sport. “LVB is a sport that brings people together,” AJ added.
As a successor to the “Promoting Healthy Ageing through Light Volleyball (LVB) in Hong Kong and Mainland China” project, the current “Light Volleyball for Older Adults: Classes and International Light Volleyball Competition” project continues to motivate older adults to take part in physical activities that benefit both body and mind. Under the new project, EdUHK has organised 13 additional light volleyball classes since 2024.
“My team is currently conducting follow-up research informed by the latest competition that examines the benefit of sport competitions on older adults’ engagement in physical activity,” Dr Leung said. She thanked the Hong Kong Light Volleyball Association, Malaysia Light Volleyball Association, Japan Light Volleyball Association and World Light Volleyball Club Federation for supporting EdUHK to hold the first international LVB competition.
Although designed for older adults, LVB doesn’t lack excitement or power. Here, a player from the Australian team jumps to perform a volleyball hit.
The original RIF-funded project, carried out between 2019 and 2024, achieved significant results. Around 310 older adult light volleyball instructors were trained, and 85 classes were launched, attracting roughly 2,700 participants. Research evidenced the benefits of light volleyball, including improvements in lower-body strength, agility, and balance, compared to Tai Chi and control groups. Competitions were organised under the project in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Nanchang which drew over 530 older athletes. The first-ever Light Volleyball Grand Finals for older adults was held in July 2024 at the EdUHK Tai Po campus to wrap up the competitions.
“Active ageing supports better physical and mental health, emotional wellbeing, and social connection. It enhances quality of life for older adults. Looking ahead, EdUHK will continue to encourage more older adults to engage in physical activities, conduct further research, and promote active ageing in Hong Kong,” Dr Leung concluded.
Dr Carman Leung Ka-man, Associate Professor of HPE, says the first international LVB competition is organised to encourage more older adults both trained and grassroots to actively engage in physical activity.
