Physical Fitness Study of Macao Residents is launched

Organized by the Sports Bureau in coordination with the Health Bureau, the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau, the Social Welfare Bureau, the Higher Education Bureau and the Macau Polytechnic Institute, alongside technical support from the China Institute of Sport Science, the "2020  Physical Fitness Study of Macao Residents" launching ceremony was held at the multi-functional room of the Olympic Sport Centre Stadium, at 10:30 am on January 10. Ms. Ao Ieong U, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture and Mr. Feng Lianshi, Deputy Director of the China Institute of Sport Science, both attended the ceremony.

The "2020 Physical Fitness Study of Macao Residents" was originally scheduled to be carried out from January to April, however due to the outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia, examination has been postponed. Approximately 10,000 test samples are planned to be collected, and the data obtained will be analyzed. The research result will be published in the 2020  Physical Fitness Report of Macao SAR Residents.

In his speech at the launching ceremony, Mr. Pun Weng Kun, President of Sports Bureau, stated that following on from Macao's studies in 2005, 2010 and 2015, this year's study is of great importance, as it is synchronised alongside the five-yearly national physical fitness study. The data collected will enable the SAR Government to have a better understanding of residents' physical conditions and development trends, whilst formulating appropriate policies and promoting the development of fitness for all.

The age range of targeted subjects is expanded from 3-69 to 3-79 year-olds, in light of Macao's ageing population. There are four main groups, namely young children, children and adolescents, adults and seniors. Samples are primarily collected from schools, community groups, public and private organizations and elderly service agencies.

In order to complete the assessment more efficiently, the "2020 Training Course for Workforce in Physical Fitness Study of Macao Residents" was held on January 4 and 5, at the Olympic Sport Centre Stadium. Experts from the China Institute of Sport Science were invited to give lectures on "Work Plan for Physical Fitness Study of Macao Residents", "Methods and Tools for anthropometric indexes, Physiological function indexes and Physical Fitness indexes Measurement", "How to Survey and Complete Questionnaires" and "Quality Control Methods", and so on. Around 180 people participated in the training.