Professor

Professor Angus Yu possesses a diverse academic background that encompasses several disciplines. Graduated with a Bachelor degree in Chemical and Bio-product Engineering from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, his science career began at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, leading to the receipt of a degree of Master of Philosophy specializing in muscle physiology. He was also awarded a Master of Science degree in Genomics and Bioinformatics by the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Following the training at the School of Public Health at The University of Hong Kong, he received his Ph.D. title. In concordant with his education, his research outputs span a spectrum of disciplines, including molecular biology, metabolic health, sleep, and brain health.

• Effects of different exercise modalities on mental health, cognitive health and metabolic health, with an emphasis on mind-body exercise and conventional exercise.
• Delineation of the mechanisms of physical activity and sedentary behaviour in health

1. Wong, P., Wan, K., Dai, Z., Yu, A. P., Wong, S. H., & Poon, E. T.* (2025). Effect of 8-Hour Time-Restricted Eating (16/8 TRE) on Glucose Metabolism and Lipid Profile in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrition Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuaf206
2. Dai, Z., Miyashita, M., Poon, E. T., Tian, X. Y., Yu, A. P., Sit, C. H., & Wong, S. H.* (2025). Flexible time-restricted eating combined with exercise in a free-living setting for middle-aged women with overweight/obesity: a randomized controlled trial. Nature communications, 16(1), 10659. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-65678-z
3. Siu, P. M.*^#, Yu, D. J.^#, Yu, A. P.^#, Recchia, F., Li, S. X., Chan, R. N., Fong, D. Y., Chan, D. K., Hui, S. S., Chung, K. F., Woo, J., Wang, C., & Irwin, M. R. (2025). Tai chi or cognitive behavioural therapy for treating insomnia in middle aged and older adults: randomised non-inferiority trial. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 391, e084320. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2025-084320
4. Leung, C. K., Yu, A. P., Bernal, J. D., Recchia, F., Fong, D. Y., Wong, S. H., Chan, D. K., Capio, C. M., Yu, C. C., Wong, S. W., Sit, C. H., Cheng, C. P., Chen, Y. J., Thompson, W. R., & Siu, P. M.* (2025). Dose-response effects of aerobic exercise on reducing depression in patients with chronic illness and comorbid depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis. British journal of sports medicine, bjsports-2025-110371. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2025-110371
5. Dai, Z. H., Wan, K. W., Wong, P. S., Huang, W. Y., Yu, A. P., & Wong, S. H.* (2025). Additional Effect of Exercise to Intermittent Fasting on Body Composition and Cardiometabolic Health in Adults With Overweight/obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Current obesity reports, 14(1), 54. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13679-025-00645-9
6. Recchia, F., Leung, C. K., Yu, A. P., Leung, W., Yu, D. J., Fong, D. Y., Montero, D., Lee, C. H., Wong, S. H. S., & Siu, P. M.* (2023). Dose-response effects of exercise and caloric restriction on visceral adiposity in overweight and obese adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. British journal of sports medicine, 57(16), 1035–1041. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2022-106304
7. Yu, A. P., Chin, E. C., Yu, D. J., Fong, D. Y., Cheng, C. P., Hu, X., Wei, G. X., & Siu, P. M.* (2022). Tai Chi versus conventional exercise for improving cognitive function in older adults: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Scientific reports, 12(1), 8868. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-12526-5
8. Siu, P. M.*^#, Yu, A. P.^#, Chin, E. C., Yu, D. S., Hui, S. S., Woo, J., Fong, D. Y., Wei, G. X., & Irwin, M. R. (2021). Effects of Tai Chi or Conventional Exercise on Central Obesity in Middle-Aged and Older Adults : A Three-Group Randomized Controlled Trial. Annals of internal medicine, 174(8), 1050–1057. https://doi.org/10.7326/M20-7014
9. Siu, P. M.*^#, Yu, A. P.^#, Tam, B. T., Chin, E. C., Yu, D. S., Chung, K. F., Hui, S. S., Woo, J., Fong, D. Y., Lee, P. H., Wei, G. X., & Irwin, M. R. (2021). Effects of Tai Chi or Exercise on Sleep in Older Adults With Insomnia: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA network open, 4(2), e2037199. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.37199
10. Yu, A. P.^#, Tam, B. T. ^#, Lai, C. W., Yu, D. S., Woo, J., Chung, K. F., Hui, S. S., Liu, J. Y., Wei, G. X., & Siu, P. M.* (2018). Revealing the Neural Mechanisms Underlying the Beneficial Effects of Tai Chi: A Neuroimaging Perspective. The American journal of Chinese medicine, 46(2), 231–259. https://doi.org/10.1142/S0192415X18500131

• Assessments
• Statistical analysis
• Computational Algorithm
• Information technology in sports science and health

• The Top 50 High Impact Research of Traditional Medicine, Journal of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine with the support of the China Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2023
• Faculty Outstanding Research Output Award, HKU, 2022
• Finalist – Acta Physiologica Award, Scandinavian Physiological Society, 2018
• Best Oral Presentation Award, The 4th Student Conference in Sports Sciences, Medicine and Rehabilitation 2013, Hong Kong Association of Sport Medicine and Sport Science, 2013

• Research & Publication Committee, Physical Fitness Association of Hong Kong, China
• Advisor of Mental Health@School service by St. James Settlement Wellness Pro