National Formosa University and the National Sports Training Center held a signing ceremony for a Memorandum of Cooperation at the NFU Library on May 13 (Wednesday), with NFU President Chang Hsin-Liang and Sports Training Center Chairman Wei Shun-Hua signing on behalf of their respective organizations. The two parties will focus on sports science research and talent cultivation, embarking on a three-year collaboration that uses data analysis and evidence-based research methods to advance athletic training toward a more data-driven, precise, and scientific approach.
NFU has been deeply engaged in sports technology through its engineering expertise for over 20 years, and in recent years has further promoted the integration of sports science with competitive training, combining sports biomechanics, artificial intelligence algorithms, and cross-disciplinary engineering technologies. The university has invested in sports data analysis, validation of training models, and development of system applications, helping coaches and athletes better understand movement performance, training effectiveness, and competitive condition.
NFU's cross-disciplinary team for this collaboration includes Professor and President Chang Hsin-Liang of the Department of Power Mechanical Engineering, Professor Hu Nien-Tsu of the Department of Information Management, and Associate Professor Yu Li-Chun of the Physical Education Office. The team will connect with the Sports Training Center to link sports science research, competitive training needs, and talent cultivation resources, helping bridge research outcomes with frontline training practice.
NFU President Chang Hsin-Liang stated that NFU began building its sports science laboratory in its early years, with the hope of combining physical education expertise with engineering technology and data analysis, gradually forming a sports technology advantage unique to NFU. He noted that in the past, when the university's team advanced related R&D, they had to independently seek out sports venues and identify athletes' needs; this collaboration with the Sports Training Center will help NFU more effectively connect its technological R&D outcomes with athletes and frontline training settings.
Sports Training Center Chairman Wei Shun-Hua also praised NFU's performance in the practical application of sports science. He stated that NFU has introduced AI technology into track and field training, comprehensively improving athletes' competitive performance and coaches' scientific literacy. Notably, NFU high jumper Yeh Po-Ting set a new national record of 2.30 meters at the 2024 National Intercollegiate Athletic Games and was selected for Tier 4 of the 2025 Gold Medal Program, representing an important achievement in applying sports science to competitive training.
On-site, NFU also demonstrated its self-developed "Intelligent Track and Field Analysis System." The system can analyze an athlete's individual technical performance and generate customized training optimization recommendations in real time. The system is currently applied to various track and field disciplines, including sprinting, high jump, and hammer throw, and the related R&D achievements have secured a total of 6 patents in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Taiwan, demonstrating NFU's practical strength in using technology to advance precision training and enhance competitive performance.
Going forward, the two parties will combine NFU's technological R&D capabilities with the Sports Training Center's diverse resources in competitive support, physical therapy, psychological counseling, and nutritional guidance, to jointly support elite athletes preparing for the Olympics and Asian Games. It is also hoped that through cross-school collaboration between NFU and senior high/vocational schools, continuous development and training of athletes can be advanced, allowing promising athletes to grow steadily under the protection and guidance of scientific methods.
Article provided by: Physical Education Office
