Biography
Professor Yijian Yang is a member of the International Society for Posture and Gait Research (ISPGR) and the Gerontological Society of America (GSA). He directs the Sports Biomechanics and Injury Prevention Laboratory, which studies musculoskeletal biomechanics related to human health and mobility. A key focus of the laboratory is the prevention of fall-related injury (e.g., traumatic brain injury, hip fracture) in older adults. Particularly, the team seeks to understand biomechanical and physiological risk factors for injury and mobility impairment in older adults, and to develop and evaluate novel interventions for injury prevention. Their goal is to conduct high quality and evidence-based research that will lead to significant impact on older people’s health and quality of life.
Research Interests
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Falls and physical activity in older adults
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Biomechanics of sports performance
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Injury prevention
Selected Publications (*denotes corresponding author)
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Zeng, Z., Ho, C.Y., Zhou, J., Shen, J., Yang, Y.*. Effects of dual-tasking on stepping strategy and inter-joint coordination during walking in older fallers and non-fallers. Innovation in Aging, 2025; igaf055. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igaf055
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Sutanto, D., Ho, C.Y., Wong, H.S., Pranata, A., Yang, Y.*. Difference in movement coordination and variability during Five-Repetition Sit-to-Stand between people with and without Chronic Low back pain. Journal of Biomechanics, V.181, 2025, 112531. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2025.112531
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Zeng, Z., Ho, C.Y., Sit, H.P., Wong, H.S., Liao, J., Yang, Y.*. Effectiveness of Exercise Intervention on Mobility, Postural Control, and Falls for Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2024 Dec 12. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2024.12.002
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Ho, C.Y., Sum, S.K.W., Yang, Y.*. Effects of Stiffness-altered Sport Compression Garments on Lower-limb Biomechanics in Cutting Maneuvers. Journal of Biomechanics, 22 August 2024, 112292. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2024.112292
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Yang, Y., Zeng, Z., van Schooten, K.S., Sum, K.W., Shen, J., et al. Effects of a Multicomponent Physical Activity Programme, Mobility-Fit, Compared with a Standard Care Lower Limb Strengthening Programme, to Promote Safe Mobility among Older Adults in Care Facilities: Protocol for a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial. BMJ Open, 2024 Jan 24;14(1):e082403. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2023-082403
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Heidel, M., Robinovitch, S.N., Yang, Y.*: Association between Falls, Head Impacts and Mortality among Older Adults in Long-term Care. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association (JAMDA). 2023 Dec; 24(12):1990-1995.e1. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2023.08.006
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Yang, Y., Komisar, V., Shishov, N., Lo, B., Korall. A., Feldman, F., Robinovitch, S.N.: The Effect of Fall Biomechanics on Risk for Hip Fracture in Older Adults: A Cohort Study of Video-captured Falls in Long Term Care. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. 2020; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jbmr.4048
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van Schooten, K., Yang, Y., Feldman, F., Leung, P.M., McKay, H.A., Sims-Gould, J., and Robinovitch, S.N.: The Association between Fall Incidence, Injury Risk and Dynamics of the Fall: Do Recurrent Fallers Fall More Safely? Journal of Gerontology: Medical Science. 2018; 9;73(6):786-791. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glx196
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Yang, Y., van Schooten, K., Sims-Gould, J., McKay, H.A., Feldman, F., Robinovitch, S.N.: Sex Differences in the Circumstances Leading to Falls: Evidence from Real-life Falls Captured on Video in Long-term Care. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association. 2018;19(2):130-135. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2017.08.011
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Robinovitch, S.N., Feldman F., Yang, Y., Schonnop, R., Leung, P.M., Sarraf, T., Sims-Gould, J., Loughin, M.: Video Capture of the Circumstances of Falls in Elderly People Residing in Long-term Care: An Observational Study. The Lancet. 2013, 381(9860): p. 47-54. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(12)61263-X
Funded Research Grants as Principal Investigator (in the past five years)
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Preventing Head Injury during Falls in Older Adults in Care Homes through an Innovative Protective Headgear. Knowledge Transfer Project Fund (KPF), CUHK (Ref. #: KPF25GWP10), 2025-2027
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Effect of Customized 3D-Printed Hip Protectors on User Compliance in OlderAdults in Care Homes: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial. General Research Fund (GRF). Research Grants Council (RGC) Hong Kong (Ref. #: 14615624), 2025-2027
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Effects of 8-week Pickleball Training on Physical and Cognitive Function in Pre-frail Community-dwelling Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Direct Grant. Direct Grant, Faculty of Education, CUHK (Ref. #: 4058120), 2025-2026
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AI-enabled design of permeable protective headgear for the older adults. Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF). Innovation and Technology Commission Hong Kong (#: ITF/058/23TP), 2024-2026 (Co-PI)
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Determining the Association between Gaze Behaviour and Gait Stability during Adaptive Locomotion in Healthy Community-Dwelling Older Adults. Direct Grant, Faculty of Education, CUHK (Ref. #: 4058111), 2024-2025
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Engaging Students in Teaching and Learning Activities in Sports Biomechanics Courses: STEM Concept-Blended Approach. Teaching Development and Language Enhancement Grant (TDLEG). The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Ref. #: 4171078), 2023-2024
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Promoting Safe Mobility of Older Adults in Care Facilities through a Multicomponent Physical Activity Program: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial. General Research Fund (GRF) – Early Career Scheme. Research Grants Council (RGC) Hong Kong (Ref. #: 24618722), 2023-2026
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Breathable Lightweight Hip Protectors for Elderly in Nursing Homes. Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF). Innovation and Technology Commission Hong Kong (Ref. #: ITP/028/22TP), 2023-2025 (Co-PI)
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Strategies to Prevent Falls and Hip Fracture in Older Adults in Care Homes through Technology and Education. Project Impact Enhancement Fund (PIEF). The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). Hong Kong. 2021-2022
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One Size Does Not Fit All: Choice-Based Programs for Physical Activity Promotion for Older Adults. Knowledge Transfer Project Fund (KPF), CUHK (Ref. #: KPF21GWP34), 2021-2023
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Implicit Design and Additive Manufacturing of Novel Personalized Hip Protectors to Prevent Hip Fracture in Elderly Care Homes. Knowledge Transfer Project Fund (KPF), CUHK (Ref. #: KPF21OTH08), 2021-2023 (Co-PI)
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Hip Protectors to Prevent Hip Fracture of Older Adults in Hospitals and Nursing Homes. Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SIE) Development Fund, CUHK (Ref. #: KPF20GWP16), 2020-2023
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Strategies to Engage Older Men in Physical Activity in Assisted Care Facilities. Direct Grant, Faculty of Education, CUHK (Ref. #: 4058075), 2020-2022
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Determining the Mechanisms and Severity of Head Impact in Collegiate Soccer Players. Direct Grant, Faculty of Education, CUHK (Ref. #: 4058080), 2020-2022
Courses Taught
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Functional Anatomy
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Structural Biomechanics and Sports Injury
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Exercise Biomechanics
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Research Methods
Selected Honours and Awards
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Gold Medal at the International Inventions Exhibition Geneva 2025, Mass customization of lightweight and breathable hip protectors for the elderly via automated reverse design and 3D-printing. Geneva, Switzerland, 2025
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Outstanding Project Award 2024/25, The Hong Kong Ergonomics Society, June 2025
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Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme 2024-25 Award, Research Committee, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), 2025-2029
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Research Fellowship Scheme 2024-25 Award, Faculty of Education, CUHK, 2025-2026
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Research Fellowship Scheme 2022-23 Award, Faculty of Education, CUHK, 2023-2024
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Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Travel Award, Canada, 2019
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Gold Award, Innovative Research on Aging, Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging, USA, 2018
Selected Patent
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Song, X., Mo, H., Ding, J., Yang, Y. A wearable protective gear modeling method, system, electronic device and readable storage medium (ZL 2023 1 1506574.1): Awarded by the State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) of China on September 10, 2024. This patent will guide the development of customized protective devices for preventing fall-related injuries.
Selected Professional Services
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Board Director, Asian Society for Adapted Physical Education and Exercise (ASAPE)
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Associate Editor, Hong Kong Physiotherapy Journal (official journal of The Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association) https://www.worldscientific.com/worldscinet/hkpj
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Guest Editor, Frontiers in Public Health, Special Topic “Gender Differences in Falls and Mobility Patterns of Older Adults”. https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/59246/gender-differences-in-falls-and-mobility-patterns-of-older-adults
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Guest Editor, Frontiers in Physiology, Special Topic “Emerging Technologies in Sports Performance: Data Acquisition and Analysis”. https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/69054/emerging-technologies-in-sports-performance-data-acquisition-and-analysis
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Editorial Board, Journal of the American Medical Directors Association. https://www.jamda.com/content/edboard
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Editorial Board, Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences. https://academic.oup.com/biomedgerontology/pages/Editorial_Board_2
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Editorial Board, Journal of Exercise Science and Fitness. https://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-exercise-science-and-fitness
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Editorial Board, Physical Therapy Korea. https://www.ptkorea.org/main.html
