National Formosa University in Yunlin uses AI to help athletes

國立虎尾科技大學（National Formosa University）利用人工智慧幫助運動員

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — National Formosa University has used AI technology to support athlete training, aiming to improve performance through data analysis, CNA reported.

On Wednesday, Principal Chang Shinn-liang (張信良) and Taiwan Institute of Sports Science Director Wei Shun-hua (蔚順華) signed a three-year agreement to promote the use of AI-powered systems in sports training.

The institute said it has used cameras and sensors to identify deficiencies in athletes' form and help reduce injury risks. It also collects and analyzes competitors’ performance data to help coaches develop game strategies.

Chang said the university has set up a sports science laboratory to integrate athletic training with data analysis. He noted the partnership will help expand the university’s R&D results into basketball, volleyball, and track and field, while also improving injury prevention in training.

In 2024, the National Science and Technology Council allocated NT$45 million (US$1.4 million) to the university to establish a ping pong training center. The center is equipped with interactive technology that can track and predict ball placement, as well as sensors and augmented reality systems to enhance training.

The university said it has integrated AI technology into track and field training, helping its high jumper Yeh Po-ting (葉柏廷) set a new national record of 2.3 meters at the 2024 National Intercollegiate Athletic Games. He also won a silver medal at the April Sanya Asian Beach Games with a 2.05-meter jump.

Chang explained the AI-driven system uses drones and sensors to capture and analyze athletes’ movements in detail, including stride length and frequency, limb angles, and body position during clearance, with all key data visualized for analysis.

Yeh said the system helped him track his approach path and jumping angle, allowing him to make adjustments more quickly. The university added that it has also applied the system to sprinting and hammer throw training.