Key of success in world sports : China

Dr. Arunava Roy
Ph. D (phy. Edn & Sports science)
Ex-National Athletic Coach

The World of games and sports is ever expanding and continuously progressing through different types of researches and scientific advancement in general and their applications in the field of sports lectionary changes and have crossed many milestones. Sports science has made rapid progress in the last few decades.

Search and selection of potential athletes in specific fields based on scientific knowledge, is a matter of routine in many developed countries like Germany, U.S.A, U.S.S.R, China, Japan, Korea etc.

I am very much fortunate that, during my visit to Seol (South Korea) with the Indian team as Coach, I met former world champion Mrs. Chi-Cheng who came as leader of the Chinese team. I had a discussion with her regarding they key of success of China in world of sports. She specifically mentioned that we launched on research in sports science. She also explained how physical education and games & sports run in schools, colleges and universities.

In China, the element of scientific basis of selection is being inducted in the procedure of selection of sportsmen at various levels. The knowledge from many scientific discipline is being used them for the world-class performance. Sports scientists have designed “Tests” procedures for evaluating the fitness of young children. The general physical fitness of top-ranking sportsmen also is constantly evaluated. Selection of potential athletes is done with the designed tests and the body-size predictions. Human growth, genetic aspects and physiological factors limiting one’s performance in sports are also taken into consideration.

Systematic scientific sports research began with the establishment of a Research Department in the Beijing Physical Culture – Institute. The first specialized organizations – the Beijing Institute of Sports Science and the Beijing Institute of Sports Medicine – both came into existence in 1958. These were followed by research institutes in Shanghai and Heilongjiang and the departments of sports medicine and sports history set up by the Chengdu Physical Culture Institute. Now most of the provinces and the municipalities have set up a sports research institute or department expanding the ranks of research personnel in the country.

The Institute of Sports Science of the State Physical Culture and Sports Commission is a general multi-disciplinary research organization composed of research departments of Sports training, Sports bio-mechanics, Training in ball games, Sports physiology, Sports medicine and information. Symposia on sports sciences and National conference on sports science and technology are organized regularly. Experts from other countries are also invited to present paper in the National Conference on Sports & Symposia organized by Chinese Government.

To study the morphology of Chinese athletes, the research institute of the state physical culture and sports Commission, the Beijing physical culture institute and some other units made a general survey of more then five thousand top sportsmen and sports women in 11 selected sports, including track and field events, Gymnastics, Swimming, Weight lifting and Ball Games, After 33 measurements were taken of each athlete. Researches compiled about 20,000 statistical figures to provide fairly comprehensive and complete information about the builds of Chinese sportsmen and sports women. This information serves as a reference in the training and coaching to the athletes.

Sports scientist also work into injuries suffered in sports to determine their causes; special attention also is given to the study of injuries to joints and cartilage. Some of the achievements in this area made by the sports scientist have been among the best in the world.

Research centers also work on sports training, sports teaching, sports physiology and sports medicine, sports theory and history, tests of physical performances, sports psychology, biomechanics and sports apparatus and equipments.

Research study is also made on morphology, physical performance and body structure of young people and children in China, their characteristics and patterns of changes and growth. Over 1500 sports scientists throughout China are working for new findings.

Besides research work in sports, the Chinese Government has adopted a series of important measure to promote physical culture and sports in schools. Physical Education is an integral part of the educational policy in School programmers to assure that students development is all round i.e. morally, intellectually and physically. Students attend physical education classes at lest twice a week. Sports also are one of the subjects, which determine whether a student will be promoted to the next grade. Before admission to colleges and universities the students have to pass the “National Standards of Physical Fitness” test. The setting up pf standards pf physical fitness has encouraged young people and children to take part in physical training and has helped to build up courage, will power and spirit.

For development of athletes China has “Home of Track & Field Athletics”. All the schools have running teams specializing in middle and long-distance running. Regular medical check-ups for the athletes are there. Regular breathing exercises are there for the athletes.

In this context, I like to draw the attention of the Central and State Governments and the various Sports Federations of India. To make best use of our resources, however limited. It the will is there the way shall automatically be clear. We need to develop the political relation with China so that we may be benefited in the line of games & sports. A regular cultural exchange programme including sports in it – particularly in the field of selected games & sports and athletics will be of great benefit to raise our standard in athletics in India. It is always more practical to start with an Asian Country as model, where we may find many common factors and traits.