A delegation of Chinese sport administration gather insight at Penn State

A Chinese delegation of about 25 sport physicians, physical therapists and sport scientists visited Penn State’s University Park campus last month to learn the latest in sport medicine clinical practices, scientific research, and training and conditioning.

The group, which represents the General Administration of Sports of China, traveled to the United States to better understand sport science in other parts of the world. During their trip, the delegates also visit other universities and cities. They were at University Park from Oct. 20 to 24.

The group, which was hosted by Penn State’s Department of Kinesiology (KINES), the Penn State Center for Sports Medicine (CSM) and Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics (ICA), visited campus as part of the delegation twice before.

“For the two previous delegations, their main interest was the research being conducted in KINES, with contributions from members of the CSM and ICA,” said William Buckley, professor of exercise and sport science, and health education. “This time, we were asked to develop more of a program of clinical best practices, (including) field evaluations, diagnostic techniques and evidence-based rehabilitation practices. Most of the program (features) speakers from the Center for Sports Medicine with complementary support from KINES labs, and training and conditioning techniques from Intercollegiate Athletics.”

A variety of seminars, laboratory demonstrations and lectures were given throughout the week, exploring such topics as athletic training, injury prevention, female athletes, rehabilitation and nutrition.

Among those topics were the training regimen of Penn State football players, presented by Dwight Galt, director of performance enhancement; and “Understanding the Clinical Sequelae of the Female Athlete Triad,” by kinesiology and physiology researcher Mary Jane De Souza.

Concussion injury related to sport participation, or traumatic brain injury (TBI), was also addressed. Sessions presented current best practices for the evaluation of athletes who suffer a head injury and need to be evaluated for concussions on the field. This includes recognition of physical signs and symptoms, neuropsychological evaluation, post-concussion syndrome, second impact syndrome and return-to-play criteria.

These best practices were presented by Justin Rogers, a practicing athletic trainer with Penn State’s ice hockey program, and Kathryn Gloyer, a Center for Sports Medicine team physician for Penn State ice hockey and rugby.

“The sponsoring Chinese Sport Administration has been very pleased with their experience at Penn State, in particular the experience with faculty from KINES, clinicians from CSM and coaches from ICA,” Buckley said.

Wang Shan, an analytical chemist at the Lab of China Anti-Doping Agency in Beijing, said the delegation was beneficial because it gave participants exposure to the research and knowledge of sport medicine in the U.S.

“In addition, all the speakers are professional and dedicated,” she said.
Liu Hui, an associate professor in biomechanics at the Beijing Sport University, said her favorite lecture addressed the effects of concussion on brain structure and function.

“The content covered a wide range of subjects, and the credit should be given to Dr. Buckley,” Hui said. “The speakers are serious, patient and willing to share the knowledge with us. Most of the speakers showed a high level of research ability and personality.”