Alvin Kao

Areas of Expertise

• Physical activity and cognition
• Sport and exercise psychophysiology
• Sport and exercise psychology

HHS Signature Research Area(s)

• Developmental Health and Wellness

Department of Health and Kinesiology Research Area(s)

• Exercise Psychology

Biography

The primary goal of Dr. Kao’s research is to better understand the influence of health behavior and its associated biobehavioral correlates on human cognition and brain health. He is particularly interested in the acute and chronic effects of physical activity on behavioral and neuroelectric outcomes related to cognitive function during childhood and early adulthood. His research focuses include (1) the associations of different aspects of physical fitness (e.g., cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular fitness) and motor competence with higher-order cognition such as executive function and memory, (2) the role of exercise parameters (e.g., mode, intensity, timing) on the relationship between exercise and cognitive function, (3) the development of multi-modal interventions combining physical activity and mindfulness that can be implemented and integrated into real-world settings (e.g. school, workplace) for facilitating attention, learning, work productivity, and brain health.

Education

• PhD, 2017, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
• MEd, 2012, National Taiwan Normal University
• BEd, 2008, National Kaohsiung Normal University

Websites

• Physical Activity and NeuroCognitive Health Laboratory

Current Courses

• HK59000 - Physical Activity and Cognition
• HK37200 - Sport and Exercise Psychology I
• HK49000 - Sport and Exercise Psychophysiology