Yu-Kai Chang Named International Fellow by National Academy of Kinesiology
Yu-Kai Chang, distinguished professor and chair of the Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences at National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU), has been named an International Fellow by the prestigious National Academy of Kinesiology (NAK) in the United States. At 47, Chang is the youngest recipient of this honor in 2024, recognized for his significant contributions to the field of kinesiology.
Founded in 1926, the NAK has honored only 643 scholars worldwide, with 19 new fellows inducted in 2024, including three international fellows. Chang is the fifth Taiwanese scholar to receive this distinction, following Wen-Chung Wu (1976), Min-Chung Tsai (1981), Tsung-Min Hung (2018), and Tung-Wu Lu (2024).
Chang earned his PhD from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2008 and joined NTNU in 2018, where he established the Physical Activity and Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory. His research focuses on sport and exercise psychology, particularly through cognitive neuroscience approaches to studying exercise and cognitive function, as well as mindfulness in human performance. He has authored more than 270 journal articles and 10 chapters in international textbooks, gaining global recognition.
Recognized among the world’s top 2% of scientists for four consecutive years since 2021, Chang was recently appointed co-editor of the International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, becoming the first Taiwanese scholar to hold this position. He also serves on the editorial boards of three international SCI/SSCI journals and is the editor-in-chief of a TSSCI journal in Taiwan.
Chang's work has been cited in U.S. federal health guidelines, played a key role during the COVID-19 pandemic, and contributed to large international research projects. His efforts have raised Taiwan’s academic profile through initiatives such as the translation of the PRISMA checklist.
His interdisciplinary approach combines sports science, neuroscience, and Chinese martial arts. His bestselling book, Multimodal Exercise Based on the Bagua, emphasizes the transformative power of physical activity. Through his research, Chang advocates for the promotion of both physical and mental health, demonstrating a commitment to bridging theory and practice and highlighting the significant impact of exercise and sport on human life.