"Senior Speed Stack" Introduces Emerging Sport Stacking to Help Reduce Cognitive Decline in the Elderly
Key Points:
- The Junior Chamber International (JCI) North District organized the "2025 Senior Speed Stack Closing Ceremony," introducing sport stacking to help delay cognitive decline in the elderly.
- Celebrity Tiffany Lau (Tiffany) participated in speed stacking activities with seniors.
- Assistant Professor of Teaching Senior Dr Mok Kam-Ming from Lingnan University's School of Interdisciplinary Studies, conducted a tracking study as part of the project, finding that seniors who consistently participated in speed stacking training showed a downward trend in stress and anxiety levels.
HONG KONG, Aug. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As Hong Kong faces an increasingly severe aging population problem, data from the Department of Health shows that 1 in 10 seniors aged 70 or above suffers from dementia, while 1 in 3 seniors aged 85 or above is affected. Therefore, delaying cognitive decline in the elderly has become a key societal concern.
On August 10, JCI North District held the grand "2025 Senior Speed Stack Closing Ceremony" at Choi Yuen Community Hall in Sheung Shui. Over the past four months, the project has conducted over ten sport stacking training sessions, successfully helping over 200 seniors improve hand-eye coordination and demonstrating significant results in slowing cognitive decline. Distinguished guests at the event included Ms Jessie YU Sau-chu, BBS, MH, JP, Executive Committee Chairperson of the Hong Kong Senior Citizens Association; celebrity Tiffany Lau; North District Councillor Lau Chun Hoi; former North District Council Chairman So Sai Chi, SBS, MH; and JCI Hong Kong China President Rafael Wong. The event received support from various social organizations and enterprises, including the Hong Kong Senior Citizens Association, Hong Kong Starlight Lions Club, Lingnan University, Sport Stacking Association of Hong Kong China, Wofoo Social Enterprises, Coalition of Global Home Service Sustainable Development, Hong Kong Christian Service, and Hong Kong Caring Magic Circus, raising awareness about using sport stacking to delay cognitive decline.
Scientific Validation of Stacking
Originally a globally popular speed sport, speed stacking has recently been scientifically validated for its "low barrier, high benefit" characteristics, making it particularly suitable for seniors. JCI North District President Kwok Chak Fung noted: "The purpose of ' Senior Speed Stack ' is to introduce a sport that requires no complex equipment or large venues. Seniors only need a set of specialized cups to practice at home or in community centers. From the qualitative research conducted with Lingnan University, we found that participants not only improved their reaction times but also built social connections through group training, effectively enhancing mental health and achieving the goal of 'Senior Speed Stack.'"
According to a joint study by the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Colorado Mesa University, speed stacking can improve participants' hand-eye coordination by 30% and stimulate electrical activity in both brain hemispheres through alternating hand movements (Hart & Bixby, 2005), helping delay cognitive decline. Research also shows that sport stacking has a metabolic equivalent (MET) of 2.9, comparable to activities like bowling and walking (Murray et al., 2009), making it suitable for seniors to maintain basic physical fitness.
Additionally, Dr. Mok Kam-Ming, Assistant Professor of Teaching, School of Interdisciplinary Studies from Lingnan University conducted a follow-up study as part of the project, finding that seniors who consistently participated in cup-stacking training showed a downward trend in stress and anxiety levels. The sense of belonging fostered through group competitions indirectly strengthened social connections. Dr Mok said: "Many participants went from initial reluctance to actively serving as assistant coaches, demonstrating how speed stacking significantly boosts seniors' confidence." Participants also improved their memory, hand-brain coordination, and teamwork skills through training.
From "Zero Experience" to Cup-Stacking Experts
At the closing ceremony, over 120 senior participants, with an average age of 65, competed in speed-stacking races, showcasing impressive proficiency. Among them, participant Ms. Lam stood out by completing the 3-6-3 stacking pattern in just 7.24 seconds, becoming the champion of the event.
Tiffany Lau Competes with Seniors
Guest of honor Ms. Jessie YU Sau-chu, praised the "Senior Speed Stack" project for combining innovation with scientific evidence, stating: "Aging is no longer just about passive care. "Senior Speed Stack" proves that seniors can actively manage their health through emerging sports, truly realizing the vision of 'enjoying aging.'" Celebrity Tiffany Lau also joined the cup-stacking challenge, competing with seasoned senior stackers. She said with a smile: "Seeing seniors so actively participating in a new sport makes me really happy."
Building Bridges for Intergenerational Harmony
JCI Hong Kong China President Rafael Wong emphasized: "Facing an aging society, young leaders must take proactive steps to address social issues. Through the 'Senior Speed Stack' initiative, JCI has demonstrated this mission in action. Using speed stacking as a platform for intergenerational interaction, they have not only allowed seniors to experience the health benefits of a new sport but also fostered communication and collaboration across generations." Project Chairman Jaydon Lim added: "When young people and seniors learn cup-stacking together, it not only enhances intergenerational communication and harmony but also allows for mutual observation and learning, strengthening family bonds and jointly creating 'senior legacies.'"
About JCI North District
Established in 1985, JCI North District is one of the 21 chapters under JCI Hong Kong China. Through the four pillars of development "individual, business, community, and international". It provides opportunities for young people aged 18 to 40 to participate in projects that serve society while training and improving themselves.
Originally based in the North District, the chamber has expanded its membership to include young professionals from across Hong Kong. Over the years, it has organized various projects, including the "Children Silver Tongue Contest," "Lamplight of Peace," "International Children's Cultural Exchange Camp," "Greater Bay Area – Northern Metropolis Youth Industry Opportunities Forum," and "Mountain Clean."
About " Senior Speed Stack "
The " Senior Speed Stack " project introduces the emerging sport of cup-stacking (sport stacking) to the elderly community. It provides seniors with hand-eye coordination training to enhance brain-hand coordination, delay cognitive decline, and promote intergenerational harmony, allowing the elderly to enjoy the fun of sports. From April to August, the project successfully conducted 10 professional training sessions, serving over 200 seniors, and concluded with a timed cup-stacking competition involving 100 seniors at the closing ceremony.
SOURCE The Junior Chamber International (JCI) North District
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