Lithuanian Sports University

Journal “Reitingai” has published the latest evaluation of Lithuanian higher education institutions. Lithuanian Sports University (LSU) was best evaluated in the categories of “Present and Future Academic Staff”, “Competition in the International Study Area” and “Students and Studies”.
According to the ranking criterion “Present and Future Academic Staff”, LSU came third of eleven state universities in Lithuania – it got 6.59 out of the possible 10 points.

The Lithuanian Sports University (LSU) reached a high 126th place in the latest Shanghai global ranking of Sports Science Schools and Departments. Over the last several years the LSU has risen by 80 positions in the ranking (208th place in 2018 and 172nd place in 2020).

LSU traces its origins back to 1934 when thePresident of Lithuania,Antanas Smetona, established the Higher Courses of Physical Education or HCPE (Lithtuania: Aukštieji kūno kultūros kursai) offering a higher education degree. The HCPE were founded with the idea of combining the subjects of physical exercises and military training so that the graduates would be able to teach these subjects in gymnasiums. In 1938, HCPE were closed and their function was taken over by the Department of Physical Education established at Vytautas Magnus University.   

In 1945, the Lithuanian State Institute of Physical Education was founded as an independent institution. It was located in the former palace of Physical Education Base and has got the main stadium with couple of football pitches, sports hall, tennis and basketball courts. In the first year, 100 students were enrolled at the Institute. In 1999, the Institute was renamed the Lithuanian Academy of Physical Education (Lithuanian : Lietuvos kūno kultūros akademija or LKKA) by a resolution of the Parliament of Lithuania (Seimas)

Since its foundation, the University has prepared about 16,000 physical education teachers, a variety of highly qualified sports coaches, physical therapy specialists, tourism and sports managers, etc. Many famous scientists, coaches and the world-famous public figures were graduated from the University. Many distinguished scholars, world-known coaches, prominent sports and public figures have graduated from the Academy. A great number of LSU graduates have become champions and prize-winners of the Olympic Games, world and European championships, among them are the twice European boxing champion Algirdas Socikas,   the winner of the Olympic gold medal and world basketball champion Modestas Paulauskas, the winners of the Olympic gold medals Vlademaras Chomicius, Rimantas Kurtinaitis,and Virgilijus Alekna. In 2012, the Parliament of Lithuania including Education, Science and Culture Committee unanimously approved that the name of Lithuanian Academy of Physical Education is changed to The Lithuanian Sports University. 2014 the University celebrated its 80th anniversary.

University structure

The University consists of 2 faculties:

• Faculty of Sport Biomedicine
• Faculty of Sport Education

4 departments

• Department of Applied Biology and Rehabilitation
• Department of Coaching Science
• Department of Health, Physical and Social Education
• Department of Sport Management, Economics and Sociology

2 institutes

• Institute of Sport Science and Innovations
• National Wellness Institute

4 centers

• Career and Competence Development Centre
• Sports and Leisure Centre
• European Basketball Research Centre

Sports

Almost all sports included into the programme of Olympic Games are trained at the Lithuanian Sports University.

LSU available sports:

• Basketball
• Football
• Handball
• Volleyball
• Track-and-field athletics
• Swimming
• Sport aerobics
• Judo
• Boxing
• Rugby
• Kayak and canoeing
• Sailing
• Cycling
• Orienteering
• Dancing
• Wheelchair basketball team

LSU is an important centre of sports science, the fosterer of physical education, sport values and traditions. LSU has gained respect in a wide range of sports games in different Lithuanian championships. Basketball players have become winners in numerous Lithuanian championships as well as handballers, volleyballers, footballers are also famous for their sports results.