Biographical Sketch: YOULIAN HONG, PH.D., Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Youlian Hong, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sports Science and Physical Education at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.  In 1970, Dr. Hong graduated from the Department of Engineering Mechanics and Mathematics at the Qinghua University in Beijing, and in the same year he has qualified as a mechanical engineer in Yizhen Iron and Steel Factory located at Jingsu Province, China.  After nine years of engineering work, Dr. Hong decided that his future and passion in life was in sports biomechanics, he continued his higher Education at Beijing University of Physical Education in 1979 for Sports Biomechanics and earned his degree Master of Education in 1982.  From 1982 to 1986, Dr. Hong worked as a lecturer in Beijing University of Physical Education.  To further develop himself in Biomechanics, in 1986, Dr. Hong started his abroad study in German Sports University of Cologne.  His major was Movement Science and the minor was Sports Medicine.  In 1991, Dr. Hong earned his Ph.D. degree in Sports Science, and in the same year he was appointed by the Hong Kong Sports Institute as a Sports Biomechanist, starting the Sports Biomechanics in Hong Kong.  From 1993 onwards, Dr. Hong is in the current position at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Dr. Hong’s research interests include sports movements, ergonomics, pediatrics and geriatrics exercise.  He obtained a number of research funding, including the most competitive and prestigious Hong Kong government research grant, Earmarked Research Grant, in 1999.  He published more than 80 papers in the above mentioned areas.  Recently, Dr. Hong focused his research interest in the aging related issues and conducted several research projects on health and fitness intervention and profile of functioning fitness of older adults in China.  In his publications, the physical activity and health among older adults in China was introduced.  One of his ongoing research topics is exploring the mechanism of beneficial effects of Chinese Tai Chi for older adults.

Recently, Dr. Hong is selected to be the host of the XVIII International Symposium of Biomechanics in Sports, which will be held on 25-30 June 2000 at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.  In the history of International Society of Biomechanics in Sports, Dr. Hong first time included the issues of geriatrics exercise in the scientific programs and recruited a session for Chinese martial art – Tai Chi.

The sports and physical activities that Dr. Hong has been actively involved include competitive gymnastics, skiing, squash, badminton, and table tennis.  His daily activity includes jogging, stretching, strength exercise, and Tai Chi.