Research Assistant Professors
Dr Toby MAK
Research Assistant Professor
BSc (HKU), PhD (HKU)
- BC516
- +852 2766 5987
- tobyct.mak@polyu.edu.hk
- Healthy Ageing
Biography
Dr Toby Mak received his Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise & Health and PhD degree in Kinesiology from the School of Public Health at The University of Hong Kong. He specialises in the application of psychomotor theories to improve balance and gait in the older population. Subsequently, he served as a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, receiving the RGC Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme Award.
Dr Mak's research mainly explores how psychological factors, particularly the focus of attention and associated changes in cognitive processing, influence the way that older adults control walking behaviours. His recent work extends such investigation into looking at how these factors impact visuomotor control (e.g., visual search during walking) in older adults at risk of falling. Dr Mak is also dedicated to using an interdisciplinary approach to explore psychomotor intervention techniques to enhance visuomotor performance and/or rehabilitative outcomes for falls prevention, especially in the geriatric and stroke populations.
Education and Academic Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science (Exercise and Health), The University of Hong Kong
- Doctor of Philosophy (Kinesiology), The University of Hong Kong
Research Interests
- Mak, T. C. T., Ng, S. S. M., Leung, M. C. Y., & Wong, T. W. L. (2024). Examining the role of attention focus walking training on conscious motor processing during rehabilitation by older adults at risk of falling: A randomized controlled trial. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 121, 105352. (2022 IF=4.0, Q1)
- Tang, T. C. W., Mak, T. C. T., Wong, T. W. L., Capio, C. M., Li, J., Masters, R. S. W., & Chan, D. K. C. (2023). A meta-analysis of the association between movement specific reinvestment and motor performance. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology. DOI: 10.1080/1750984X.2023.2214813 (2022 IF=5.5, Q1)
- Mak, T. C. T., Wong, T. W. L., & Ng, S. S. M. (2023). The use of mindfulness-based interventions in stroke rehabilitation: A scoping review. Rehabilitation Psychology 68(3), 221–234. (2022 IF=2.7, Q1)
- Mak, T. C. T., Young, W. R., Chan, D. C. L., & Wong, T. W. L. (2020). Gait stability in older adults during level-ground walking: the attentional focus approach. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 75(2), 274-281 (2022 IF=6.2, Q1)
- Mak, T. C. T., Young, W. R., Lam, W. K., Tse, A. C. Y., & Wong, T. W. L. (2019). The role of attentional focus on walking efficiency among older fallers and non-fallers. Age and Ageing, 48(6), 811-816. (2022 IF=6.7, Q1)
Selective publications
