In the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2025 held on 9 Feb 2025, a team of 10 Saint Francis University (SFU) Physiotherapy students and teachers worked closely with the Auxiliary Medical Service (AMS) to provide professional treatment and emergency care to nearly 150 participants, demonstrating the seamless integration of medical support and community services.
During the race, the team handled cases of muscle cramps and spasms, and a number of runners required immediate intervention due to recurrence of chronic injuries, including low back pain, sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain and foot deformities. The team also handled a number of knee and ankle sprain cases, providing emergency treatment and quick relief to ensure the smooth running of the race.
Ms Amy LI and Mr KONG Chun Kit, Senior Lecturers of the Physiotherapy Programme of SFU, expressed that "Marathon is a huge challenge to the body, and participants are prone to overloading which may lead to acute injuries or recurrence of chronic problems. With our expertise, our team is able to quickly identify the type of injuries and implement targeted treatments, such as relieving muscle spasms through manual therapy, joint repositioning and sports taping techniques. This practical experience also helped the students understand the importance of collaboration in medical support for large-scale events."
SFU has always been committed to the principle of serving the community with professionalism and love, and is dedicated to nurturing students to become both skilled and empathetic healthcare professionals. The team's participation in the marathon not only puts into practice what they have learned, but also demonstrates the university's commitment to public health.