This year marks the 5th anniversary of the concept of people's city. As the place where it was first proposed, Yangpu is thriving with a flourishing digital economy and a dynamic, youthful spirit. Let's immerse ourselves in this city that is becoming increasingly "YOUNG" for the people...

At 9 a.m., the standalone building at 175 Gongnong Fourth Community was a hive of activity. Elderly residents adeptly utilized various fitness devices, while individuals with disabilities participated in scientifically designed rehabilitation exercises under the guidance of community sports health instructors. Upstairs, young people were vigorously running and lifting weights, sweating profusely, and children were playing and running freely in the recreational area...

This is the Yinhang Community Sports Health Center, which has been an Internet-famous fitness spot in Shanghai for six years. It was the first in the city to feature "Party building + fitness" and to provide targeted services for all residents, covering the entire life cycle. The center has been recognized as one of the first "Great Places Right at Citizens' Doorsteps" in Shanghai, one of the first "Shanghai Sports Health Science Popularization Bases", a "Community Sports Health Instructor Workstation Demonstration Point" and a "Shanghai Disabled People's Physical Fitness Monitoring Point". On November 24, 2023, the center was fully upgraded as the city's first national pilot comprehensive community sports health center, creating an innovative "Shanghai model" that features "Sports +" multi-department collaboration in integration of public fitness with public health.

Demand-oriented and targeted services for all residents

With a floor area of approximately 1,770 square meters, the Yinhang Community Sports Health Center offers "6+1" public sports services, including sports health assessment, sports health guidance and exercise interventions for chronic diseases. The first floor features areas such as the Senior Sports Health Home, the Sunshine Health Station for People with Disabilities, a table tennis room, a smart health station, a community sports health instructor service station, and an outdoor play area. The second floor includes a resident fitness station, a youth sports health station, a multi-functional sports science hall and a Pilates studio, providing a one-stop solution for the health and fitness needs of all age groups.

Moreover, the center has introduced a variety of quality health courses, such as tai chi, yoga and traditional fitness exercises, as well as health education lectures on fall prevention, pain relief and martial arts rehabilitation. This summer, the sub-district's youth physical fitness training camp was conducted intensely. Activities like plank support, frisbee tracking and jumping training were part of the program, where children and adolescents in the community received professional guidance for their physical fitness training.

In the S-shaped circuit race, 8-year-old Zong Youxi successfully completed the course. He said, "My favorite is high jumping and running. I greatly value this period of learning and have gained a lot from it." His grandmother was also there, frequently using her phone to capture her grandson's athletic moments. She said, "I hope the community can offer more classes like this, to encourage children to be more active and increase their physical activity. We are very satisfied." Coach Xu Jian from the Newbody Youth Sports Health Station said, "Our training is centered on reaction speed, explosive power and running. We use scientific sports games to foster a love for sports among children."

Coordinated resources for upgraded health services

As a model site for community sports health instructor workstations, the Yinhang Community Sports Health Center leverages the expertise of community sports health instructors and the advantage of being one of the first pilot projects for the coordinated development of hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia and Hypertension. It aims to implement and popularize the four major services of "eating, exercising, preventing and adjusting" through scientific fitness, exploring innovative ways to promote health through sports that are well-received by the public. Additionally, to encourage elderly residents to engage in physical activities, the center has brought in premium resources from the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Sports, offering exclusive sports vouchers for the elderly. With these vouchers, elderly residents can access professional sports health services at the Senior Sports Health Home for only 69 yuan per month.

Notably, in May 2018, the community and the Yangpu Disabled Persons' Federation collaborated to create a tailored sports rehabilitation area for people with disabilities within the center, known as Kangjianyuan. This has since been upgraded to the Sunshine Health Station, offering targeted and effective health services to people with disabilities free of charge through physical assessments, exercise plans, scientific fitness guidance and educational lectures. This model has been successfully extended to other provinces and cities across the country.

71-year-old Mr. Chen, who became disabled due to an accident, needed to be wheeled around by his family when he first came to the Sunshine Health Station. However, after five years of consistent exercise, his muscle spasms have significantly improved, and his muscle strength has increased. "Now, I can go out with the aid of crutches by myself," he said. He is not alone; a dozen individuals who initially came to the station in wheelchairs can now walk independently with crutches, thanks to the scientific exercise regimens provided.

Intelligent technologies for optimal exercise benefits

The Yinhang Community Sports Health Center, grounded in "Intelligent +" and "Internet +" technologies, has innovatively established a digital platform that integrates exercise with health promotion. It employs intelligent facilities and equipment to monitor residents' exercise status in real time, generating visual health data. Utilizing this data, the center offers a suite of services including physical assessment, pre-exercise evaluation, exercise intervention guidance, sports injury prevention and treatment, sports science education and scientific fitness instruction, all aimed at enhancing the community's exercise benefits.

Moreover, the center has concentrated on the specific needs of the elderly by investing in age-appropriate intelligent fitness equipment, ensuring they can engage in physical activity safely and comfortably near home. Before their initial exercise, the elderly undergo health status collection via the digital platform, participate in risk screenings, establish health profiles and have exercise plans automatically generated for them. Blood pressure is monitored before exercise, and heart rate is tracked during exercise using armbands. An IoT system records real-time exercise data, ensuring the safety and efficacy of their physical activities.

Take Mr. Tang for example, a regular at the Senior Sports Health Home. After three months of tailored exercise, he has seen significant improvements in his long-standing high blood pressure and a marked increase in his lung capacity. These health changes have filled him with joy: "Since I started working out, both my energy levels and mental state have noticeably improved. I really enjoy exercising here."

Among the elderly who exercise at the center, there has been a noticeable enhancement in their physical well-being: 52% have reported increased muscle strength, 39% have seen improvements in their mental state, and 24% have experienced better cardiopulmonary function. There has also been a notable reduction in healthcare costs. For middle-aged and younger residents, nearly 70% have achieved significant muscle gain and weight loss. Residents' satisfaction and happiness continue to climb.

Looking ahead, this popular spot right at the residents' doorstep is poised to more precisely fulfill the public's aspirations for a healthy life. The center will delve into the integration of the community sports health center with the community health service center, fostering a "dual center" approach. It will persistently push forward the shift from a "disease-centered" model to a "health-centered" one, aiming to elevate the overall health standards of Yinhang Community and excel in providing comprehensive community sports health services.