Spiking stereotypes: the joy of light volleyball for seniors! An interview with Dr Carman Leung Ka-man

Dr Carman Leung Ka-man, Associate Professor and Associate Head of the Department (Research and Development) from the Department of Health and Physical Education (HPE), holds a PhD in sports psychology and joined EdUHK in 2020. She teaches volleyball, theory and practice in sport coaching, sport management, and physical activity and health promotion at HPE with extensive research interests covering physical activity measurement and promotion in older adults (for example, walking, Esports, light volleyball) and people with physical disabilities (for instance, sitting light volleyball).

A former Hong Kong Volleyball team player, Dr Leung is actively advocating a new form of volleyball, Light Volleyball (LVB), to older adults and people with physical disabilities. Dr Leung and her team received HK$7.4 million in funding from the Research Impact Fund in 2019 to work on a research-cum-community project aimed at promoting healthy ageing through participation in LVB in Hong Kong and mainland China.

In the latest edition of FLASS FORWARD, Dr Leung discusses her recent research project funded by the Research Impact Fund. She offers insights about active ageing and shares memorable moments from her research.

Dr Leung: I completed my doctoral research in 2014, focusing on the relationship between children’s physical activities and health. Upon graduation, I didn’t plan to pursue academic research further. However, I received funding from the Public Policy Research Scheme to conduct a research project on elderly individuals and their walking abilities. This was the first time that the elderly and their social and physical wellbeing became part of my research agenda.

Around 2012, light volleyball (LVB) was introduced to Hong Kong from mainland China. Having played volleyball for many years — indeed, I represented the Hong Kong Women’s Volleyball Team for several years —I found myself increasingly interested in researching older adults. I considered combining these two interests into a cohesive research project.

In 2016 when I was working at another university in Hong Kong, my colleagues and I conducted an LVB intervention project to investigate how well this sport could improve the wellbeing of older adults. This pilot study revealed that LVB could significantly improve agility, cardiovascular endurance, muscle strength in both upper and lower extremities, and enjoyment of physical activity among older adults. With positive intervention results from this pilot study, my team successfully applied for funding from the Research Impact Fund (RIF) to launch a new project promoting healthy ageing through participation in LVB in Hong Kong and mainland China.

The RIF-sponsored project titled “Promoting Healthy Ageing Through Light Volleyball Promotion in Hong Kong and Mainland China” was divided into two phases. The first phase demonstrated that playing LVB led to notable improvements in both the physical and psychological health of older adults compared to a group playing Tai Chi and a control group. In the second phase of the project, my team organised numerous activities to promote LVB in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Nanchang. These included workshops that trained over 300 LVB instructors for older adults, experiential LVB classes for 3,500 elderly participants, and local competitions across these three cities.

The HK$7.4 million project commenced in 2019. We organised the grand finals of the LVB competition for older adults from these three cities at the EdUHK Tai Po campus in July this year. After five years of rigorous study and promotional efforts, the grand finals marked a successful conclusion to the project.

Dr Leung: The funding for our project was awarded in 2019; shortly thereafter came the onset of COVID-19. Consequently, we were unable to undertake much work until the pandemic subsided around 2023. This necessitated redesigning our research plan to complete our work, originally designed for a five-year period, within two years.

One major challenge we faced was securing appropriate venues for LVB activities. LVB is typically played on badminton courts, and throughout the project, we needed to conduct numerous trial classes, training sessions, and competitions for elderly participants. Unfortunately, badminton courts are in high demand in Hong Kong. To overcome this obstacle, we partnered with various NGOs such as YMCA, Taipo Sports Association, and Caritas, all of which have their own badminton courts.

In Hong Kong, we collaborated with elderly centres and other NGOs that provide services for senior citizens. These organisations have been very supportive of our work. However, our experience on the mainland was quite different. In mainland China, where LVB is primarily promoted by government bodies, finding suitable partners has been more challenging due to differing procedural practices and cultures. We are glad to have the support of governmental organisations in China that have collaborated closely with us throughout the project. Still, we needed to invest more time in building relationships and navigating the processes with our mainland partners.

Understanding these differences is crucial for successful collaborations. This experience has taught us how to manage such differences in future research involving mainland partners.

Dr Leung: Light volleyballs are larger, softer, and lighter than standard volleyballs, making them suitable for older adults. In terms of physical health, studies show that LVB can effectively enhance players’ agility and coordination. Improved coordination and balance can help prevent falls among older adults. LVB can also increase muscle strength and overall physical fitness while improving cardiovascular endurance. With enhanced endurance levels, elderly individuals can maintain an active lifestyle even at advanced ages.

Psychologically, studies indicate that LVB games cultivate a sense of belonging and community. Many participants have shared that training sessions and competitions provide opportunities to meet new people, foster friendships, enjoy teamwork, and combat loneliness and social isolation. We also discovered that LVB can lead to improved mood while reducing anxiety and depressive feeling.

Dr Leung: We always emphasise that LVB is less about competition and more about physical fitness, social interactions, and fun. While competitive elements can enhance the experience, we believe that recreational and social aspects hold greater significance.

Safety is always our top priority in the LVB project. We provide extensive safety training to ensure all participants, whether they are players or instructors, understand the rules and guidelines for safe play. To minimise injury risk, LVB players do not dive to save balls like traditional volleyball players do; instead, the net height matches that of badminton matches, eliminating jump spikes from gameplay. By teaching safety rules and promoting cautious play, we help participants enjoy the game while reducing accidents.

In summary, our focus is on recreational and social aspects of physical activities; participation— not competition — is paramount.

 

Dr Leung: The World Health Organization (WHO) has advocated for active ageing since the Second United Nations World Assembly on Ageing held in April 2002. This initiative encourages older adults to engage in healthy and safe physical activities that enhance social engagement while improving overall quality of life. By promoting active ageing, the WHO seeks to change entrenched perceptions about the capabilities of older adults while fostering environments that encourage their active participation in society.

Hong Kong is experiencing a rapidly ageing population alongside prevalent stereotypes suggesting that elderly individuals should remain still or sedentary. Such stereotypes limit many people’s imaginations; they seldom consider that senior citizens can engage in vigorous sports or compete in ball games. This is reflected by many elderly centres primarily offering individual exercises, such as Baduanjin or Tai Chi, to their members. While these activities are beneficial, they do not appeal to every elderly individuals; some prefer more physically demanding or newly emerging exercises like light volleyball. This service gap underscores a need for broader activity options to accommodate varying interests and fitness levels among older adults.

Many people also hold stereotype suggesting sports are predominantly for men. However, my experience indicates many senior female citizens enjoy participating in competitive sports, such as LVB. The current generation of elderly individuals is markedly different from previous ones. Many have an affinity for outdoor activities or an active lifestyle. One elderly man even told me that he plays e-sports with his grandson. All these stories illustrate changing social needs among seniors who desire new forms of exercises or recreational activities.

Dr Leung: I know a female player who once struggled with muscle stiffness—a common issue among seniors. One day, she told me that after playing LVB she could raise her hands again. Another poignant story involves a woman who previously viewed herself solely as a housewife with low energy levels; since joining LVB activities she has undergone a remarkable transformation. She now enthusiastically wears sportswear to participate; playing LVB has significantly expanded her social network while boosting her energy levels. Now, she wakes up at six o'clock each morning just to queue for venue reservation for light volleyball exercises.

I truly believe we must invest more effort into promoting active ageing to address Hong Kong's graying population needs effectively. LVB plays a crucial role in challenging stereotypes about the elderly. My team’s research has helped create a more inclusive environment where older adults can engage physically, enhancing their quality of life while fostering an active lifestyle.

Elderly participants express immense gratitude towards me for introducing them to LVB. This recognition validates and inspires my work. Many inquire about upcoming competition schedules; their enthusiasm deeply touches me. I hope these players serve as role models for active ageing, shifting societal perceptions surrounding older adults.

Their stories exemplify positive changes occurring when seniors are encouraged to participate actively. They remind us that advancing age need not deter anyone from living physically or socially vibrant lives. Physical activities are conducive to better physical and mental health for people of all ages. With regular and adequate physical exercises, we can continue glowing through our autumn years.

Read related story about Grand Finals of Light Volleyball Competition for Older Adults held at EdUHK on 26 and 27 July.