A291: Ethnic Sports

Ethnic traditional sports, integral to Chinese cultural heritage, hold significant value in health promotion and intangible cultural heritage (ICH) transmission. However, health strategies often lack cultural adaptability, and ICH preservation remains passive, limiting real-world impact. This study systematically explores the role of ethnic traditional sports in public health and cultural sustainability by: 1. Examining their physical and mental health benefits, 2. Analyzing their integration into educational and cultural systems 3. Exploring digital and technological applications for accessibility and engagement. A systematic literature review of peer-reviewed articles, government reports, and policy documents from the past two decades was conducted. The analysis focuses on three dimensions. Health Benefits – Studies on Wushu, Baduanjin, and Qigong indicate improvements in BMI, flexibility, cardiovascular health, and mental well-being. 2. Education & Cultural Transmission – School-based programs incorporating traditional sports enhance physical fitness and cultural identity 3. Technological Innovations – AI, big data, and VR applications expand accessibility and improve skill standardization. 1. Traditional sports enhance physical fitness, balance, flexibility, and psychological well-being. 2. Educational integration fosters active ICH transmission and cultural identity 3. AI-assisted learning, motion tracking, and VR improve training accessibility and engagement. Ethnic traditional sports bridge cultural heritage and modern health promotion, but face challenges such as standardization and policy support. A culture-health dual-track strategy is proposed: 1) Policy Recommendations: Integrate ethnic sports into national exercise prescription systems. 2) Educational Integration: Expand school-based programs for dynamic ICH transmission. 3) Technological Advancement: Leverage AI and VR for modernization and accessibility.