St Magdalene School* announced in a statement that it has recently launched Macau’s first AI-powered exercise and health classroom.
The classroom is jointly run by Macao Polytechnic University (MPU) and Beijing E-Way Technology Co., Ltd., with St Magdalene School serving as the first local demonstration site, the statement said, adding that MPU provides the scientific foundation in paediatric health and psychological research, while Beijing E-Way provides the AI system and hardware.
The classroom is integrated with AI, exercise science**, and mental health support to build a safer, scientific, and more personalised health model for its students, the statement noted.
Unlike standard “smart sports” setups that merely collect data, according to the statement, the classroom offers a professional health-promotion platform. The classroom creates a “closed-loop” system in which students complete assessments using smart bikes, heart-rate monitors, and psychological questionnaires, after which the AI system generates tailored exercise prescriptions based on their fitness and emotional states, the statement noted.
AI does not automatically adjust exercise intensity and all exercise prescriptions must be approved by exercise science and child health professionals before being implemented by teachers, the statement underlined. This “human-in-the-loop” approach ensures student safety remains supervised and auditable, the statement said.
Through gamified cycling and interactive exercises, students can participate in a low-pressure environment in the classroom, the statement said, adding that it also provides non-stigmatising support for students with special educational needs, helping them build confidence alongside peers.
The statement also said that the classroom is highly suited to Macau’s compact school environments, which often face limited space and growing mental health needs. Featuring a modular design, several smart bikes can operate indoors without requiring a large playground. Students can complete brief 10- to 15-minute “exercise snacks” during recess or lunch breaks, making physical activity easy to integrate into the school day.
According to the project team, the classroom aims to expand to more local schools, gradually building a “one student, one health profile” system to track students’ long-term physical and emotional development, the statement said, adding that the goal is to support teachers and empower schools to help students build sustainable, healthy habits.
* St. Magdalene School (聖瑪大肋納學校) is a Roman Catholic primary and secondary two-campus school. Founded in the spirit and tradition of St. Magdalene of Canossa, it operates as a member of the Macau Catholic Schools Association. It is known for its commitment to inclusive education, providing specialised support to grassroots families, students facing financial hardship, and those with special educational needs (SEN).
**Exercise science is the multidisciplinary study of human movement, physical activity, and exercise, focusing on how the body adapts and responds to acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) physical stress. – Gemini
St Magdalene School students ride AI smart bikes on the school’s campus on Largo da Companhia recently. – Photo courtesy of St Magdalene School
