Lithuanian Sports University (LSU) is one of the leading academic and research centers for sport sciences in the Baltic region. The university has cultivated numerous award-winning athletes who have excelled at the Olympic Games, World Championships, and European Championships. Ranked 123rd worldwide in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) Sport Science rankings, LSU is internationally recognized for its excellence in sport science education and research.
Since signing the Erasmus+ Inter-institutional Agreement with LSU in 2023, the College of Sports and Recreation has actively promoted faculty and student exchanges between the two institutions. To date, one faculty member and two students from our College have participated in mobility programs at LSU, while one faculty member from LSU has visited NTNU through the Erasmus+ program.
After being selected through the College’s Staff Mobility for Teaching program, Chair Jen-Yu Ho of the Department of Athletic Performance visited Lithuanian Sports University from June 14 to June 22, 2026, to engage in academic exchange and teaching activities. Following the College’s first Erasmus+ faculty visit in 2024, Chair Ho once again represented the College in discussions with LSU’s International Relations Office. During his visit, he met with Mrs. Irena Čikotienė, Head of the International Relations Office; Mr. Tomas Kukenys, Erasmus Coordinator; and Student Mobility Coordinators Ms. Justė Knatauskaitė and Ms. Vita Tamolienė.
The discussions focused on the implementation of the Erasmus+ program, faculty and student exchange eligibility requirements, the planning of short-term study programs, and opportunities for future international research and academic collaboration. Following the meeting, Mr. Kukenys guided Chair Ho on a tour of LSU’s teaching and research facilities, training environments, and learning spaces. Later that day, Chair Ho also met with faculty members from the Institute of Sport Science and Innovations (ISSI). Through laboratory visits and in-depth discussions, he gained valuable insights into LSU’s current sport science research initiatives while exploring potential avenues for future collaborative projects between the two institutions.
During his stay, Chair Ho conducted an open workshop entitled “Velocity-Based Training,” introducing undergraduate and graduate students to the principles and applications of load–velocity profiling. Through practical demonstrations and hands-on activities involving both students and coaches, participants learned how to measure and apply velocity-loss percentages in training settings. Chair Ho also met with members of LSU’s Department of Coaching Science, where he introduced NTNU’s Department of Sport and Kinesiology and the National Sports Training Center of Taiwan, while sharing his professional experiences gained through his work with elite athletes at the national level.
The workshop and academic exchanges not only helped LSU students connect theoretical knowledge with practical training applications but also enhanced mutual understanding of the sport science support systems used to optimize athletic performance in both countries. These interactions have laid a solid foundation for future collaborative research and the continued development of high-performance sport support services at both institutions.
Before concluding his visit, Chair Ho also visited the Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania, where he exchanged views with representatives and shared the outcomes of the Erasmus+ program. The visit also provided an opportunity to learn more about the recent development of Taiwan–Lithuania relations and bilateral academic cooperation.
Through Chair Ho’s participation in the Erasmus+ mobility program, the College has further strengthened its partnership with Lithuanian Sports University and reinforced the foundation for future joint Erasmus+ applications and collaborative initiatives. Looking ahead, the College remains committed to deepening its relationship with this valued partner and expanding cooperation in academic exchange, research collaboration, and talent development for the benefit of faculty members and students at both institutions.