Biography
Professor Eric Poon holds a B.Sc. (1st class) degree from the University of Hong Kong, as well as an M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Exercise Science from CUHK. With a specialization in High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), his research focuses on exploring the cardio-metabolic health benefits of HIIT among diverse populations, ranging from school-aged children to middle-aged and older adults. His contributions to the field have been recognized through numerous publications in reputable journals. Beyond his academic pursuits, Professor Poon is an internationally accredited Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA-CSCS) and Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-EP). He has been invited for guest presentations and professional services with various community parties, such as Hong Kong Sports Institute, Hong Kong Jockey Club, and Hong Kong Physical Fitness Association over the past several years.
Research Interests
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High-intensity interval training and cardiometabolic health benefits
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Sport nutrition, exercise performance and fitness
Selected Publications (*denotes corresponding author)
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Ortega, F. B., Zhang, K., Cadenas-Sanchez, C., Tremblay, M. S., Jurak, G., Tomkinson, G. R., Ruiz, J. R., Keller, K., Nystrom, C. D., Sacheck, J., Pate, R., Weston, K. L., Kidokoro, T., Poon, E.,. . . The Delphi Fitness Expert, G. (2024). The Youth Fitness International Test (YFIT) battery for monitoring and surveillance among children and adolescents: A modified Delphi consensus project with 169 experts from 50 countries and territories. Journal of Sport and Health Science. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2024.101012
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Poon, E., Wongpipit, W., Wong, S. H. S., Siu, P., Kong, A. & Johnson, N. (2024). High-intensity Interval Training for Cardiometabolic Health in Adults with Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. British Journal of Sports Medicine. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2024-108481
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Poon, E., Li, H. Y., Little, J., Wong, S. H. S. & Ho R. S.T. (2024). Efficacy of Interval Training in Improving Body Composition and Adiposity in Apparently Healthy Adults: An Umbrella Review with Meta-analysis. Sports Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-024-02070-9
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Poon, E., Sum, W. M. K., Lubans, D., Wong, S. H. S. & Ho R. S.T. (2024). High-intensity interval training for improving cardiometabolic health in children and adolescents: An umbrella review of systematic reviews. Journal of Sports Sciences. 20(1).13. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2024.2425910
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Poon, E., Li, H. Y., Gibala, M. J., Wong, S. H. S. & Ho R. S.T. (2024). High-Intensity Interval Training and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Adults: An Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sport. 34 (5). e14652. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.14652
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Poon, E.*, Tsang, J. H., Sun, F. H., Ali, A., Rollo, I. & Wong, S. H. S. (2024). Exploring the Ergogenic Potential of Carbohydrate-Caffeine Combined Mouth Rinse on Exercise and Cognitive Performance: A Systematic Review. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism. https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2024-0228
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Zhang, J., Dai, Z., Wong, S. H. S., Zheng, C., & Poon, E.* (2024). Acute Effects of Various Doses of Nitrate-Rich Beetroot Juice on High-intensity Interval Exercise. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 21 (1). 2334680. https://doi.org/10.1080/15502783.2024.2334680
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Poon, E.*, Kwan W. L., Chow C.C., & Chan D. K. C. (2024). Music Timing Differentiates Fatigue Perception and Performance during Isometric Strength Exercises: A Crossover Randomised Trial. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine. 23 (1):258-264. https://doi.org/10.52082/jssm.2024.258
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Poon, E.*, T. C., Tsang, J. H., Sun, F. H., Zheng, C., & Wong, S. H. S. (2024). Effects of Intermittent Dieting with Break Periods on Body Composition and Metabolic Adaptation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrition Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuad168
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Poon, E.*, T., Sun, F., Tse, A. C., Tsang, J. H., Chung, A. Y., Lai, Y. Y., & Wong, S. W. (2024). Effectiveness of Tele-Exercise Training on Physical Fitness, Functional Capacity, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Non-Hospitalized Individuals with COVID-19: The COFIT-HK study. Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness, 22(2), 134-139. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesf.2024.01.003
Funded Research Grants as Principal Investigator (in the past five years)
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Early Career Scheme (ECS), Research Grant Council of Hong Kong. 01/2025-12/2026. Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training on Physical Fitness, Cognitive and Mental Health in Hong Kong Adolescents with Intellectual Disabilities: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial.
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Health and Medical Research Fund (HMRF), Food and Health Bureau. 01/2025-12/2026. An Innovative Approach to Combine Intermittent Dieting (INTD) with High-Intensity Interval Exercise (HIIE) for Curbing Central Obesity: A Comparative Randomized Controlled Trial.
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Health and Medical Research Fund (HMRF) Research Fellowship Scheme, Food and Health Bureau. 12/2024-11/2026. High-Intensity Interval Exercise and A Low Carbohydrate Diet on Glycemic Control and Cardiovascular Fitness in Physically Inactive Adults with Prediabetes: A Comparative Randomized Trial.
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Sustainable Development Goals Action Fund, CUHK. 10/2024-09/2025. Promoting Physical Fitness and Health for Adolescents with Intellectual Disability: “Project HIITelligence”.
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Direct Grant for Research, CUHK 01/2024-12/2024. Effects of carbohydrate-caffeine mouth rinse on the physical fitness performance, physiological and perceptual responses of high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) in the absorptive state.
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The University of Sydney-The Chinese University of Hong Kong (USyd-CUHK) Ignition Grants. 12/2023-11/2024. Combating Global Childhood Physical Inactivity Crisis: A Pilot Community-based Healthy Lifestyle Program with Children and their Families.
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Education Bureau (EDB), HKSAR Government. 11/2024-02/2025. Provision of Services for One PDP for Enhancing Teachers' Understanding of Senior Sec. PE Elective:"Physiological basis for Exercise and Sport Training" and "Psychological Skills for P.E., Sport and Recreation".
Courses Taught
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Physical Fitness Appraisal and Exercise Prescription
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Coaching Science
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Sports Nutrition for Health and Performance
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Physiology of Human Performance
Selected Honours and Awards
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Best Paper Award (Oral Presentation), The 21st Annual Conference of the Society of Chinese Scholars on Exercise Physiology and Fitness, 2024
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RGC Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme, Research Grant Council, 2019-2021
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Young Scholars Thesis Award, CUHK, 2020
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Postgraduate Research Output Award, 2019
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Young Investigator Award (Best Poster Presentation), International Sport & Exercise Nutrition Conference, Newcastle, UK, 2018
Selected Professional Services
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Associate Editor, Journal of Exercise Science and Fitness (Elsevier)
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Co-Editors-in-Chief, Health & Fitness Community Page, Physical Fitness Association of Hong Kong, China
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Executive Committee, Research & Publication Committee, Physical Fitness Association of Hong Kong, China
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Member, American College of Sports Medicine
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Member, European College of Sports Science
