-Kaohsiung Medical University-

The Precision Sports Medicine and Health Promotion Center (hereafter referred to as the Sports Medicine Center) at Kaohsiung Medical University (KMU) was officially inaugurated on March 10. With a vision centered on physical activity and public health, the center integrates various departments and clinical units within the university to form a professional and organized interdisciplinary team. By combining sports medicine, exercise technology, and personalized medicine, the center aims to promote a culture of exercise in both the general population and academic/workplace settings, improve public and athlete health and performance, contribute to disease prevention, and support national health—all while fostering the growth of the sports industry.

The unveiling ceremony was attended by KMU President Dr. Ming-Lung Yu, Director of the Sports Medicine Center Dr. Shang-Jyh Hwang, Executive Director Dr. Nai-Jen Chang, along with honored guests such as Director-General Tsun-Yao Hou of the Kaohsiung City Government’s Sports Development Bureau and Executive Director Chih-Huang Huang of the National Sports Science Center. Together, they witnessed the official launch of the Center.

Aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—particularly the goal of “ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages”—KMU has made significant strides. In the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, the university ranked first in Taiwan and sixth globally in SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), underscoring its commitment and achievements in advancing health and well-being.

The establishment of the Sports Medicine Center is a continuation of this mission. The center consists of three main divisions: the Sports Injury Prevention Division, the Health Promotion Division, and the Sports Science Research Division. In the future, the center will offer exercise guidance and scientific assessments tailored to the general public (healthy, sub-healthy, and those with medical conditions), people of all ages, athletes, and special populations. It will also build a data-driven, exercise-based medical database to support health promotion and disease prevention. Moreover, KMU plans to launch a Doctoral Program in Sports Medicine to cultivate advanced professionals with teaching and interdisciplinary research capabilities in sports medicine.

Through the development of specialized talent in sports health and health promotion, precision medicine, and data analysis, the center will align closely with the World Health Organization's (WHO) health priorities. It aims to widely promote knowledge of sports medicine, helping the public better understand the impact and importance of exercise on health.

KMU President Dr. Ming-Lung Yu stated that KMU is often regarded as a "medical university by day and a sports university by night." As a medical university grounded in its mission of “medicine for the people, health for the public,” KMU continues to lead in higher education, medical research, and social responsibility. The founding of the Sports Medicine Center is a concrete realization of this vision. Sports medicine is not exclusive to professional athletes; it is closely tied to the health of the entire population. Through the center, KMU hopes to promote correct exercise concepts and make physical activity an integral part of daily life for everyone.

Dr. Chi-Huang Huang, Executive Director of the National Sports Science Center, also expressed his excitement at witnessing the inauguration of KMU’s Precision Sports Medicine Center. He noted that the National Sports Science Center is currently collaborating with KMU on research projects. Sports medicine is not just the science of training and competition; it is a comprehensive discipline that encompasses human health, athletic performance, and post-exercise recovery. Precision is especially crucial for athletes. He also shared that this year, the National Sports Science Center will establish a Taiwan Sports Data Platform, which is expected to benefit public health promotion.

KMU hopes that the launch of the Sports Medicine Center will become a driving force in advancing nationwide exercise and health. By promoting exercise-related health, injury prevention, and scientific research, the center aims to usher in a new era for the development of sports medicine in Taiwan. 

 ▲President Dr. Ming-Lung Yu of Kaohsiung Medical University delivers his speech

▲Executive Director Dr. Chi-Huang Huang of the National Sports Science Center delivers his speech

▲Unveiling and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Precision Sports Medicine and Health Promotion Center at Kaohsiung Medical University

▲Group photo of distinguished guests at the unveiling ceremony of Kaohsiung Medical University's Precision Sports Medicine and

Health Promotion Center

▲Exhibition of exercise science instruments at the Precision Sports Medicine and Health Promotion Center