Promoting an active lifestyle among older adults and physically disadvantaged through light volleyball
Because a light volleyball (LVB) is lighter (150g versus 250g) and larger (80cm versus 65cm) than the standard volleyball, it moves slower and stays in the air longer. These features make light volleyball more playable for older players with reduced agility and slower reaction time.
HPE’s studies found that older adults prefer physical activities that emphasise interaction and co-operation. Light volleyball is therefore one of the preferred choices among older adults.
Hong Kong and Mainland China are experiencing a demographic change as the proportion of people aged 65 or above continues to increase. As people are living unprecedentedly longer than before, helping older adults to keep themselves in good shape is important not only from a public health perspective, but also because people who are physically healthier can enjoy a better personal, family and community life.
Numerous studies have demonstrated that having regular physical activity can improve the health of older adults. As light volleyball (LVB) utilises a ball that is lighter in weight, bigger in size and stays in the air longer, LVB is a physical activity that is suitable for older adults. An earlier pilot study led by Dr Carman Leung Ka-man, Assistant Professor at the Department of Health and Physical Education (HPE), showed that playing LVB can improve an older adult’s agility, cardiovascular endurance, and muscular strength in both the upper and lower extremities.
To expand the impact of this earlier research, Dr Leung and her colleagues extended the pilot study to a larger-scale two-phase project in 2020. The first phase of this project investigated the effectiveness of LVB intervention on physical and psychological health wellbeing among older adults in Hong Kong, through both quantitative and qualitative methods. In the second phase of the project, Dr Leung’s team has organised a number of activities to promote LVB in Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Fuzhou, including a series of workshops to develop LVB trainers for the older adults and a number of LVB classes and competitions in these three cities. To sustain the project’s impact, a teaching kit “Light Volleyball for Older Adults: Teaching and Learning” (長者輕排球：教與學) was also developed. The two-phase project was supported by the Research Impact Fund from the University Grants Committee.
Sitting light volleyball provides an opportunity for physically challenged people to leave their wheelchairs and enjoy the freedom of doing exercise on the floor. The sports also stimulates interactions among players.
The studies showed that playing sitting light volleyball not only improved physical health of the disadvantaged, but also their psychological wellbeing.
In addition to older adults, Dr Leung’s team thought of using LVB to help other groups of people who are also physically less fit. She said, “Our team decided to carry out a similar project to involve people with physical disabilities (PWPD). We then successfully obtained a Knowledge Transfer Partnership Seed Fund to carry out a related project in 2018 and 2019. The project developed an adapted physical activity—Sitting Light Volleyball (SLVB), and investigated the impact of SLVB intervention on improving health among PWPD.”
SLVB is adapted from sitting volleyball in the Paralympic Games. Using a lighter volleyball, SLVB participants play from a sitting position on the court like those playing at the Games. In the study, participants who played SLVB revealed significant improvements in body composition and cardiovascular endurance, and had greater enjoyment of physical activity when compared to the other control group. A qualitative study was subsequently conducted in 2020 to examine the participant’s experience and opinions related to SLVB.
The qualitative study showed that PWPD participants found SLVB a physical activity suitable for them. They hoped to be able to continue to have the opportunity to play SLVB in Hong Kong. The study also discovered that PWPD may suffer from abrasion between their lower body and the floor when playing SLVB, due to a lack of appropriate sportswear. Participants reflected that sportswear available in the market could not satisfy their needs or prevent them from being injured while playing the sport.
Dr Leung said, “These findings contribute to the understanding of the experiences PWPD had of the SLVB intervention, which is important for the further development of SLVB in the community.” Addressing the feedback from PWPD participants, Dr Leung’s team is now applying and transferring its knowledge and expertise in sports science to partner with an external textile and design company to produce tailor-made functional sportswear and accessories for PWPD.
Many of them shared with me that sitting light volleyball enables them to enjoy the long-cherished mobility of not being bound by wheelchairs. This is very heartening.
Dr Leung further said, “Participants need to sit on the floor to play the game. Many of them shared with me that SLVB enables them to enjoy the long-cherished mobility of not being bound by wheelchairs. This is very heartening.”
Her team finds it encouraging that active ageing is receiving more attention from our society. In response to expectations in society, she believes we need to think of more innovative ways to keep older adults active. Both older adults and the physically disadvantaged are suffering from decreasing mobility due to age or ailments. “My team at HPE is working hard to utilise our knowledge to help them to improve their health through sports, maintain a positive attitude, and live an active life,” said Dr Leung.
HPE and FLASS are committed to evidence-based knowledge transfer projects. HPE scholars will continue to use their expertise and research findings to contribute to society.
