Recent & Upcoming Talks

本週的讀書會邀請來自捷克 Masaryk University 的交換學者 Dr. Radeck Sip 分享其 **Self-defense** 研究，從 Freeze response 的好奇出發，設計高生態效度實驗並整合生理與心理測量，引發熱烈討論。育愷老師最後給予寶貴的發表方向建議，整場交流展現了研究熱情並啟發跨領域思考。 This week’s session featured Dr. Radeck Sip, whose study on self-defense and the freeze response sparked an engaging discussion and offered invaluable insights into the intersection of behavioral and physiological research.

Jul 31, 2025

這週的讀書會活動可說是內容豐富、緊湊充實。首先，我們一同聆聽曉靈學姊的口試預報，與會的夥伴們熱烈參與討論，積極給予建設性的回饋，讓學姊能夠更加完善她的報告內容。接著，在育愷老師的安排下，辰歆學長帶領大家實際操作最新的文獻計量分析工具「CiteSpace」，讓實驗室成員在資料分析與研究視野上都能再進一步。最後，我們有幸邀請來自捷克的交換學者 Radeck Sip 博士與我們交流，他不僅介紹捷克與 Brno Masaryk University 的歷史與特色，也讓我們反思：當我們面對國際友人時，是否也具備足夠的能力向他人介紹我們的文化與家鄉。這樣多元且充實的行程，不僅拓展了研究技能，也激發我們對跨文化交流的省思。 This week’s reading group schedule was exceptionally enriching and dynamic. We began by attending senior student Xiaoling’s mock oral defense, during which all participants actively engaged in providing constructive feedback to help her refine and strengthen her presentation. Following that, under the guidance of Professor Yukai, senior student Chen-Hsin introduced us to the latest bibliometric analysis tool, CiteSpace, offering hands-on experience that significantly enhanced our analytical capabilities and research literacy. The session culminated in a special visit from Dr. Radeck Sip, an exchange scholar from the Czech Republic, who offered an insightful introduction to the history and academic landscape of both his country and Brno’s Masaryk University. His sharing broadened our global perspective and also prompted reflection: are we equally equipped to articulate and share our own cultural heritage with the international community? This multifaceted experience not only expanded our research skillset but also deepened our appreciation for intercultural dialogue.

Jul 17, 2025

The World Master Games Conference 2025 invites professionals across the globe to explore the future of sustainable, data-driven, and inclusive sports. This two-day event includes keynote speeches, panels, workshops, and networking activities, with a focus on aligning with the UN SDGs through six thematic tracks. In this seminar, Ying-Chu Chen shared recent research on the effects of a multi-component exercise intervention on quality of life in middle-aged adults: a randomized controlled trial.

May 24, 2025

One of the most impactful messages from his talk was the emphasis on resilience and long-term vision in an academic career. Professor Tanaka did not shy away from highlighting the challenges—uncertainty, funding pressure, and the occasional failure. Yet, he encouraged us to stay committed to asking meaningful questions and pursuing research that contributes to the well-being of society, especially in fields like cardiovascular health and aging.His own journey, from early research interests to founding the Cardiovascular Aging Research Laboratory (C.A.R.L.), demonstrated how a focused research niche can evolve into a globally recognized academic identity. This point struck me deeply, especially as a graduate student still shaping my own research trajectory in exercise science.As someone who hopes to bridge exercise science and cognitive health, I found Professor Tanaka’s discussion of interdisciplinary collaboration particularly motivating. He reminded us that impactful science often arises at the intersection of disciplines and that curiosity must always guide our scholarly path. Moreover, his humble demeanor and willingness to share practical advice—such as maintaining a consistent publication rhythm, nurturing academic networks, and mentoring students—offered not just abstract ideals, but concrete steps we can take. This seminar made me reflect critically on my own career goals. Am I positioning myself to make a long-term impact? Am I choosing research questions that I deeply care about? These are not easy questions, but the talk provided a framework to begin answering them Ultimately, Professor Tanaka’s visit

May 8, 2025

One of the most impactful takeaways from Professor Brazaitis’ lecture was the reconceptualization of stress as a biologically essential process rather than an inherently negative experience. Through compelling physiological models and real-world examples, he emphasized that controlled stress exposure can trigger beneficial neuroendocrine adaptations, improve cognitive function, and enhance physical resilience. As someone conducting research on acute exercise and cognitive performance, I found his interdisciplinary approach highly relevant and invigorating. The lecture prompted me to reflect on how we can design interventions that harness stress adaptively rather than merely avoiding it. His message was not only scientific but also empowering: stress, when well understood, can be an ally in optimizing health.

Apr 21, 2025

Multi-component exercise (MCE) is a type of workout that combines different types of exercises and has been shown to improve both physical fitness and overall well-being. A recent study aimed to see how MCE affects physical fitness and quality of life (QOL) in middle-aged adults. The study involved 180 participants, who were split into two groups, one group followed a 24-week MCE program, while the other group did not change their usual routine. Researchers measured their quality of life using a widely recognized tool, the WHOQOL-BREF, and also tested their physical fitness, focusing on muscular endurance. While there were no major improvements in overall quality of life for those in the exercise group compared to the control group, the study found that those who did MCE showed significant improvements in strength. In particular, their upper body strength (measured by seated biceps curls) and lower body strength (measured by sit-and-stand tests) saw a noticeable boost. In conclusion, although the MCE program didn’t make a big difference in the participants’ overall quality of life, it did help them build better muscle endurance, which is an important part of staying active and healthy as we aged.

Oct 17, 2024

University of Queensland, Australia The recent lecture delivered by Professor John Cairney, Head of School, Human Movement & Nutrition Sciences at the University of Queensland, offered a comprehensive look at the evolving field of human movement and nutrition sciences. With Professor Yu-Kai Chang as an inviter, the session brought together prominent minds in the field, providing a platform for meaningful discourse on the interdisciplinary nature of human movement, public health, and innovation.

Oct 4, 2024

In this invited talk, Ying-Chu Chen shared the experience of being a physcial activity and exercise specialist. He also made clear the definite definition of those three terms, i.e., physical activity, exercise, and sports.

Nov 10, 2023

Professor Joan Duda is recognized globally for her knowledge in motivating individuals in physical activities and understanding the factors influencing commitment and optimal performance. Her expertise extends to the psychological and emotional aspects of sports, exercise, and dance. She has a track record of creating, executing, and assessing theory-driven strategies for various groups, from healthy to clinical populations, spanning different ages. Her work stands out for merging significant theoretical models, advancements in methodology, and utilizing both quantitative and qualitative approaches, ranging from field to laboratory studies. Joan spearheads the Motivating Healthy Lifestyle division at the Centre for Obesity Research and is affiliated with the Center on Healthy Ageing and the Institute of Sport, Exercise, and Movement.

Nov 9, 2023

In this seminar, Ying-Chu Chen shared the recent research work of effects of acute blood flow restriction exercise on cognitive function. He investigated the current research of blood flow restriction on cognitive function.

Oct 19, 2023