Programmes
The programme is a two-year, full-time and credit-based articulated honours programme designed for local Associate Degree and Higher Diploma holders. The programme aims to offer an excellent learning experience to students who aspire to a career in exercise, sport and allied health sciences. It is characterized by two closely linked areas.
The ‘exercise science’ component explores the complex nature of human movement and the manner in which the body reacts to acute and chronic physical activities, such as general fitness regimes, physical lifestyle activities and elite sports; whereas the ‘health education’ component examines the efficacy of a variety of prescribed physical activities, in addition to health promotion theories and strategies. The courses are designed to assist individuals and communities in achieving a better understanding of health issues, to prevent and change the unhealthy lifestyles and behaviours linked to chronic diseases, disability and a poor quality of life. This BSc programme prepares students for professional practice in exercise science, behavioural science and health-related careers.
Exercise and Health Ambassadors
‘Exercise’ and ‘health’ may be the most frequently associated pair of words. Even a kindergarten pupil will utter a sentence like ‘Exercise is good for health.’
With increasing health consciousness among the general population, exercise and health education is one of the fastest growing professional areas in both global and local contexts. The demand for graduates of this discipline to assist different populations in making important lifestyle and behavioural changes has been growing at an unprecedented rate.
The Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Health Education (ESHE), offered by CUHK’s Faculty of Education, is a programme for students who have completed a local course leading to an associate degree or higher diploma in a sports-related discipline.
The programme is characterised by two closely linked components. In the Exercise Science component, students explore the complex nature of human movement and examine how the body reacts to acute and chronic physical activities, such as general fitness regimes, lifestyle physical activities, and elite sports. In the Health Education component, students examine the efficacy of various prescribed physical activities, as well as theories and strategies for health promotion.
As a taekwondo athlete, Yannis Lai Yuet-yan developed a strong interest in sports science when she was a child. ‘I hope I can gain an in-depth understanding of the current situation in the sports industry and acquire professional knowledge to enhance public sports awareness and improve sports performance,’ Yannis shared.
‘During our study in ESHE at CUHK, the site visit activities offer a precious opportunity to find out the current situation of the sports industry in Hong Kong. It is obvious that sports-related organisations deserve more support to improve their amenities and promote sports to the public. I want to take this opportunity to thank all the teachers and staff for contributing to the development of sports in Hong Kong, which has inspired our enthusiasm for sports. I sincerely hope we can keep implementing the concept of “Sports for all” in the future,’ she said.
By helping with an international symposium or a ceremony, students gain hands-on experience in event organisation, operation, and administration. They learn to communicate with organisers, professionals, and academic experts from various fields, both local and overseas. Students also gain diverse working experiences through internships at sports institutes, campsites, and sports associations.
The Department of Sports Science and Physical Education has been actively arranging internship opportunities for ESHE students. Yannis has shown a strong interest in physiotherapy when talking about career prospects. ‘I worked as a physiotherapy assistant in an outpatient physiotherapy clinic for a non-profit organisation. My duties were assisting a physiotherapist by, for example, supervising the patients to finish their rehabilitation exercise programs correctly. I gained various types of physiotherapy knowledge, including treatment machines and manual therapy. They also recommended some practical courses to improve our skills,' Yannis said. She further noted that the ESHE programme includes some basic courses, such as Human Anatomy and Exercise Physiology, which can assist in applying knowledge to various postgraduate programmes related to rehabilitation. Like other ESHE students, Yannis spent a great deal of time with her internship teammates and supervisor.
With such comprehensive training, ESHE graduates are highly sought after as administrators in sports associations, executives in fitness and leisure industries, supervisors and officers in private and commercial sectors, inspectors or officers in disciplinary forces, and physical training officers.
Published: Summer 2017
Last Updated: Summer 2022