ABOUT ABC | 關於我們
The Agile Brain and Cognition (敏捷腦與認知實驗室, ABC) lab was first established in 2021 by Dr. Zai-Fu Yao in the Graduate Institute of Sports Training (競技運動訓練研究所, GIST) at the University of Taipei (formerly known as the Taipei Physical Education College). The ABC lab will be soon relocated to National Tsing Hua University (國立清華大學) in August 2022.
- Brain, Cognition, and Computation underlying Human Behavior
In ABC, we apply multimodal neuroimaging (e.g. functional, structural, diffusion, resting-state, spectroscopy magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and electroencephalogram data) in humans to investigate brain functioning across the lifespan. We are interested in linking behavioral and neuroplastic changes in ways that allow us to test theoretically grounded hypotheses about cognitive development, particularly in representational processing and functional organization in the prefrontal cortex. Specifically, we focus on neural circuits that subserve how the different stages of human actions and movements shape goal-directed and stimuli-driven human performance. We aim to discover how actions are selected, planned, optimized, and executed. To achieve this, we employed psychophysics experiments, neuropsychological testing, and brain imaging tools to model how the brain's structural and functional network connectivities are modulated by volitional action.
- Brain-Behavior Relations in Elite Athletes: From Sports Neuroscience to Performance
Ever since there have been sports, there has been training for sports. Training methods have continued to evolve over time, and athletes, particularly elite athletes, are always on the cusp of new training theories and technology. Our research explores the human capabilities in sports that interact with human brain activities, for example, responses to visual stimuli such as perception. The ABC lab aims to identify what is needed for optimal cognitive perception and then discuss possible training methods to improve those abilities in high-level athletes. The research questions we asked are how athletes can sharpen their abilities from the neck up by strengthening cognitive skills. How can an athlete improve his/her perceptual-cognitive abilities?
ABOUT People | 實驗室成員
職位 | Position: 202208-present 國立清華大學教育學院(主聘)、院學士班、教育與心智科學研究中心、運動科學系(合聘)、教育心理與諮商學系(合聘)助理教授 | Assistant Professor, College of Education & Research Center for Education and Mind Sciences, Department of Kinesiology, and Department of Educational Psychology (Jointly appointed) and Counseling (Jointly appointed) at National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu City, Taiwan.
經歷 | Experience: 202108-202207 臺北市立大學競技運動訓練研究所助理教授 | Assistant Professor, Graduate Institute of Sports Training, University of Taipei, Taipei City, Taiwan.
201703-201907 Ph.D. Researcher, Spinoza Centre for Neuroimaging, The Academic Medical Center, the university hospital affiliated with the University of Amsterdam.
最高學歷 | Education: 荷蘭阿姆斯特丹大學心理學研究院腦與認知科學研究組博士 | Ph.D. from Brain and Cognition group, Psychology Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands (under supervision of prof. K.R. Ridderinkhof & dr. I.G. Sligte)
Research | 研究方向
General:
The frontal lobe connectomics (額葉網絡連結體).
Psychological resilience (心理韌力).
Statistical human neuroimaging (統計神經影像分析).
Visual perception and executive functions (視知覺與執行功能).
Elite Sports:
Fatigue and recovery in sports (運動疲勞恢復機制).
Sports-training related concussion (競技運動訓練相關的腦震盪機制).
Sensorimotor Skills Learning and Training
Sports informatics and analytics 運動資訊
Publications | 研究成果
Peer-Reviewed Journal Papers
Hsu J-H, Fan Chiang H-C, Lin H-L, Lee D-S, Yao Z-F. Early Bloomer and Future Master: Getting to the Top of the Modern Badminton World. Applied Sciences. 2024; 14(7):2894. https://doi.org/10.3390/app14072894
Chang, J.R., Yao, ZF., Hsieh, S. et al. Age Prediction Using Resting-State Functional MRI. Neuroinform (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12021-024-09653-x
Hsieh S, Chang Y-H, Yao Z-F, Yang M-H and Yang C-T (2024) The effect of age and resilience on the dose–response function between the number of adversity factors and subjective well-being. Front. Psychol. 15:1332124. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1332124
Yao, ZF., Yang, MH., Yang, CT. et al. The role of attitudes towards contradiction in psychological resilience: the cortical mechanism of conflicting resolution networks. Sci Rep 14, 1669 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-51722-3
Yao, Z. F., Hsieh, S., & Yang, M. H. (2023). Exercise habits and mental health: Exploring the significance of multimodal imaging markers. Progress in Brain Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/BS.PBR.2023.11.001
Z-F Yao, I G Sligte, K R Ridderinkhof, A-71 Olympic team rowers and team swimmers show altered functional brain activation during working memory and action inhibition, Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, Volume 38, Issue 5, August 2023, Page 873, https://doi.org/10.1093/arclin/acad042.71
Chang Y-H, Yang M-H, Yao Z-F, Tsai M-C, Hsieh S. The Mediating Role of Brain Structural Imaging Markers in Connecting Adverse Childhood Experiences and Psychological Resilience. Children. 2023; 10(2):365. https://doi.org/10.3390/children10020365
Hsieh, S., Yang, M. H., & Yao, Z. F. (2023). Age differences in the functional organization of the prefrontal cortex: analyses of competing hypotheses. Cerebral cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991), 33(7), 4040–4055. https://doi.org/10.1093/cercor/bhac325
Chen, Y. L., Hsu, J. H., Tai, D. H., & Yao, Z. F*. (2022). Training-Associated Superior Visuomotor Integration Performance in Elite Badminton Players after Adjusting for Cardiovascular Fitness. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(1), 468. (Link)
Yao, Z.-F.* (2021) Neurocognitive Mechanisms of Elite Sports: bridging brain and cognition in sports. Archived in the University of Amsterdam's Digital Academic Repository (UvA-DARE). (Publicly available online) (Link) doctoral dissertation nder supervision by prof. K.R. Ridderinkhof & dr. I.G. Sligte.
S Hsieh, Z.-F. Yao, M.-H. Yang, Multimodal Imaging Analysis Reveals Frontal-Associated Networks in Relation to Individual Resilience Strength (2021) Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health. (Link)
Hsu H. -M , Yao, Z.-F, Hwang K, S Hsieh (2020) Between-module functional connectivity of the salient ventral attention network and dorsal attention network is associated with motor inhibition. PLoS one (LINK)
Yao Z.-F, IG Sligte, D Moreau, S Hsieh, CT Yang, K. R.Ridderinkhof, N. G. Muggleton, Chun-Hao Wang (2020) The brains of elite soccer players are subject to experience-dependent alterations in white matter connectivity. Cortex (LINK)
Yao, Z.-F, Yang, M.-H, Hsieh S (2020) Brain structural-behavioral correlates underlying Grooved Pegboard Test performance across lifespan. Journal of Motor Behavior (Link)
Yao, Z.-F, Yang, M.-H, Hwang K, Hsieh S (2020) Frontoparietal structural properties mediate adult life span differences in executive function. Scientific Reports (Link)
S Hsieh, ZF Yao, MH Yang, CT Yang, CH Wang (2020). Diffusion Tensor Imaging Revealing the Relation of Age-Related Differences in the Corpus Callosum With Cognitive Style. Frontiers in human neuroscience 14, 285 (Link)
Yao, Z.-F & Hsieh S (2019) Neurocognitive mechanism of human resilience: a conceptual framework and empirical review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (Link)
Meng, F.-W, Yao, Z.-F, Chang, E. C., Chen, Y.-L (2019) Team sport expertise shows superior stimulus-driven visual attention and motor inhibition. PLoS One (Link)
Yang, M.-H, Yao, Z.-F, Hsieh S (2019) Multimodal neuroimaging analysis reveals age‐associated common and discrete cognitive control constructs. Human brain mapping (Link)
Liang, Y.-M., Chen, K.-J., Yao, Z.-F.*(2016) The Difference of Iconic Memory Performance among Swimmer, Basketball Sports Athletes, and Non-Athletes. Chinese Journal of Chiayi University Physical Education, Health & Recreation Studies (ISSN:1815-7319) (Link)
Yao, Z.-F.* (2016) Diversity and Commonality of Cognitive Profile among Static, Strategic and Interceptive Sports-Expertise. Collection in National Central University Library Institutional Repository (NCULR) (Link)
Chang, E. C., & Yao, Z.-F.* (2015) Brain than Brawn: From Neuroimaging Perspectives On Physical Exercise and Cognition. Humanities and Social Sciences Newsletter Quarterly, 16(4), 90-97. (Link) master thesis under supervision by dr. Erik Chang
Yao, Z.-F.*, & Yao, R.-H. (2014) Barrier-Free and Accessible in Public for Disabled People: Mobile Urinate System with Wheelchair. The Chinese Journal of Assistive Technology, 34, 63-69. (Link)
Domestic Journal Papers
張焜棠 Chang, K-T.、姚在府 Yao, Z.-F.、楊政達 Yang, C.-T.（2022）。疫情下身體活動的新型態與新策略。中華體育季刊，36(2)，93-108。https://doi.org/10.6223%2fqcpe.202206_36(2).0001
梁衍明 Liang, Y-M.、陳冠錦 Chen, G-J.、姚在府 Yao, Z.-F.（2016）。策略性及靜態性運動員在影像記憶表現上之差異。嘉大體育健康休閒期刊，15(1)，1-14。https://doi.org/10.6169%2fNCYUJPEHR.15.1.01
張智宏 Chang, E. C-H、姚在府 Yao, Z.-F. (2015) 。四肢發達，頭腦不簡單：腦造影觀點下的運動與認知。人文與社會科學簡訊，90-97。https://www.nstc.gov.tw/nstc/attachments/bfc96790-bc32-4d90-911c-6a9d317e8484
Zai-Fu Yao & Chiang Chiao-Tung (2024) 1554 - Interceptive sports exhibit stronger connectivity strength in the frontoparietal network during rest. Presented in OHBM, Seoul, Korea (June 23 - June 27).
Z-F Yao, I G Sligte, K R Ridderinkhof, A-71 Olympic team rowers and team swimmers show altered functional brain activation during working memory and action inhibition, Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, Volume 38, Issue 5, August 2023, Page 873, https://doi.org/10.1093/arclin/acad042.71
Z-F Yao, I G Sligte, K R Ridderinkhof, Olympic team rowers and team swimmers show altered functional brain activation during working memory and action inhibition, Presented in the 13th International Conference on Cognitive Science (ICCS), Seoul, Korea (23-25, August 2023).
Yao, Z.-F., Yang, M. H., & Hsieh, S.* (2021). Age-related manual dexterity declines are associated with reduced white matter integrity, Poster presentation at 32nd International Congress of Psychology, held on July 18 - 23, 2021 in Prague, Czech Republic.
Yao, Z.-F., Yang, M. H., & Hsieh, S.* (2020). Age-related manual dexterity declines associated with reduced white matter integrity in baseline and follow-up sessions have previously been accepted for presentation at ISG's 12th World Conference. The virtual conference to be held on October 6th – 9th, 2020.
Yao, Z.-F., Yang, M. H., & Hsieh, S.* (2020). Age-related decline in manual dexterity are associated with visuomotor tracking ability and white matter integrity, Poster presentation at the 2020 CNS Annual meeting, held on May 02-05, 2020 in Boston, MA, USA.
Yao, Z.-F *, Yang, M.-H, Hsieh S. (2019, Mar 23-26) Multimodal neuroimaging data are associated with common and discrete cognitive control constructs. The 26th Cognitive Neuroscience Society (CNS) annual meeting in San Francisco, USA. Link
Yao, Z. –F*., Moreau, D., Hsieh, S., Yang, C. T., Tsai, C. L., Ridderinkho, K. R., Sligte, I. G., & Wang, C. H. (2017, Dec 14-16). Elite soccer players exhibit stronger connectivity in fronto-striatal-cerebellar network during rest. 2017 Annual Winter Conference of Dutch Society for Psychonomic, Egmond, The Netherlands. Link Poster
Yao, Z.-F*, Liang, Y.-M, Chen, G.-J, Chiou, Y.-H, and Chang, E.C. (2015, November) Diversity of Perceptual-Cognitive Performance between Static, Strategic and Interceptive Sports-Expertise: A Preliminary Report. Poster presented at 2015 Psychonomic Society's 56th Annual Meeting, Chicago, Illinois U.S.A. Link Poster
Yao, Z.-F. *, & Liang, Y.-M. (2015, June).The difference of Perceptual-Cognitive Performance in Elite Swimmers and Non-athletes. Oral presentation accepted by the 2015 2th International Conference on Exercise and Health & the 4th National Teaching Conference on Kinesiology. Guangzhou, China. Link
Yao, Z.-F.*, & Chang, E. C. (2014, November). Influence of Ageing and Physical Activity on Cognitive Control and Visual Search. Oral presentation accepted by the 2014 53rd Annual Meeting of the Taiwanese Psychology Association. Taipei, Taiwan. Link
Ad-hoc peer-review Journal’s reviewer/guest editor
Aging, Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, International Journal of Sports Psychology, Quarterly of Chinese Physical Education, Biological Psychology, Frontiers in Psychology, section Cognition, Adaptive Medicine, International Journal of Psychophysiology, Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience (Review Editor), section Neurocognitive Aging and Behavior, European Journal of Neuroscience, Neurobiology of Aging, Journal of Intelligence, Brain and Cognition, Psychophysiology, Brain Structure and Function, Scientific Reports.
Members of Professional Societies
Sport Neuropsychology Society (2023-present), Human Brain Mapping (2024-present), American Psychological Association (2024-present), Chinese Taipei Surfing Association (2022-present), International Mind, Brain and Education Society (IMBES), Cognitive Science Society, Cognitive Neuroscience Society, Psychonomic Society (2015-present), European Brain and Behaviour Society, Taiwan Society of Cognitive Neuroscience (2014-present).
2016 Jen-Huo Yao, Liang-Chu Yao, Hsiao-Chang Yao, Zai-Fu Yao, Chih-Min Yao “Wheelchair with urinal device” U.S. Patent No. US20160038356A1
2015 Hsiao-Chang Yao, Liang-Chu Yao, Chih-Min Yao, Zai-Fu Yao, Jen-Huo Yao.;” Pants for person with limited mobility” U.S. Patent No. 20150157063 A1
2014 Jen-Huo Yao, Liang-Chu Yao, Hsiao-Chang Yao, Zai-Fu Yao, Chih-Min Yao.;” Chair with Urinal Device” U.S. Patent No. 20140352050A1
CONTACT US | 聯絡我們
If you are interested in working with me. Drop an email.
zfyao"at"mx.nthu.edu.com
Lab Location | 實驗室地點
Room 1502, Fifth Floor, Administration Building, Nanada Campus, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan.
Keywords: Sports training, Cognitive neuroscience, Aging, Athlete, MRI, 運動員, 競技運動訓練, 腦與認知, 老化, 運動員, 磁振造影
Last updated June 2022