About Us
Our Mission
Our mission is to facilitate the development of sport and exercise psychology throughout the Asian South-Pacific region, which includes the whole of Asia, Australasia, and the South-Pacific Islands.

PRESIDENT'S CORNER
Prof YoungHo Kim
On the behalf of the member of the Asian-South Pacific Association of Sport Psychology (ASPASP), I sincerely welcome your visit to the website of ASPASP. ASPASP was established in Singapore in 1989, during the 7th World Congress of Sport Psychology. Since its inception, ASPASP has grown steadily, as we have encouraged the development of sport and exercise psychology in many countries within our region. ASPASP now has representation from Australia, China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Viet Nam.
As ASPASP is affiliated to the International Society of Sport Psychology (ISSP), the truly international flavor of the ASPASP has held eight international congresses, in Melbourne, Australia (1991), Hong Kong (1995), Wuhan, China (1999), Seoul, Korea (2003), Bangkok, Thailand (2007), Taipei, Taiwan (2011), Tokyo, Japan (2014), and Daegu, Korea (2018).
The ASPASP is the only society which was conceived largely to grow the domain of sport and exercise psychology in our region while creating partnerships and a free exchange of knowledge among scholars from the professional community. ASPASP has traditionally focused on research pertaining to improving athletes’ performance with an emphasis on sport psychology and motor control and learning. Since the mid-1990s, however, as the importance of health and wellness has steadily increased in our region, exercise psychology has been paid great attention as a prospective academic discipline.
The ASPASP is currently at a critical turning point with various global demand and challenges, though ASPASP has consistently contributed to achieve the possible outreach and the advancement of sport and exercise psychology across the Asian and South Pacific countries as its imperative. If changes in the external context require an evolution of the system, we must actively respond to the call, rather than try to avoid it. The ASPASP is not afraid of changes. In order to leap forward via change and innovations, all members must be willing to endure potential discomfort and inconveniences and project the fruits of our endeavour into the future.
Thank you.
Our Team

Dr Emily Ortega
Singapore
Member
MANAGING COUNCIL 2014 - 2018
President: Zhang Liwei, China
Past President: Peter Terry, Australia
Vice President (Programs): Frank Lu, Taiwan
Vice President (Publications): Hirohisa Isogai, Japan
Vice President (Membership): Naruepon Vongjaturapat, Thailand
Secretary General: Youngho Kim, Korea
Treasurer: Garry Kuan, Malaysia
MC Members:
- Marisa Guinto-Adviento, Philippines
- Suyen Liu, Taiwan
- Emily Ortega, Singapore
- Dilip Dureha, India
- Fatollah Mosayebi, Iran
- Yongchul Chung, Korea
- Zhijian Huang, China
Research Contribution of our team
See what our team has been upto!
PROF YOUNGHO KIM
Department of Sport Science, Seoul National University of Science and Technology
Seoul, South Korea
Research interests:
- physical activity and psychosocial factors
- physical activity changes based on psychological models
- intervention strategies for physical activity change
- cross-cultural viewpoint in physical activity
Latest (5) publications:
Papaioannou, A., Schinke, R., Chang, Y-K., Kim, Y-H., & Duda, J. (2020). Physical activity, health and well-being in an imposed social distanced world. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 414-419. doi: 10.1080/1612197X.2020.1773195 link
Kim, Y-H. & Kang, S.J. (2020). Effects of a weight control intervention based on the transtheoretical model on physical activity and psychological variables in middle-aged obese women, Journal of Women & Aging, doi: 10.1080/08952841.2020.1728183 link
Kim, Y-H. (2020). Relationships of physical activity with the transtheoretical model constructs among Korean adults, International Journal of Health Promotion and Education, doi: 10.1080/14635240.2020.1740608 link
Kim, Y-H. (2019). The effects of a physical inactivity-related health risk message intervention on changes in risk perceptions and physical activity in middle-aged women. Journal of Women & Aging, doi:10.1080/08952841.2019.1607678 link
Kim, Y-H., Park, I.K., & Kang, S.J. (2018). Age and gender differences in health risk perception. Central European Journal of Public Health, 26(1), 54–59. doi.org/10.21101/cejph.a4920 link
PROF LIWEI ZHANG
Beijing Sport University,
People's Republic of China
Research interests:
- self-concept
- self-control
- burnout
Latest (5) publications:
Lyu, W., & Zhang, L. (2020). Effect of unconscious goal priming on athletes’ self-confidence. Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise, https://doi.org/10.1007/s42978-020-00056-3.
Luo, X., Zhang, L. & Wang, J. (2017). The benefits of working memory capacity on attentional control under pressure. Frontier in Psychology, 8, 1105. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01105.
Sun, G. X., Zhang, L., Vine, S. J., & Wilson, M. R. (2016). The quiet eye provides pre-planning and online control support for interceptive task performance. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 38, 458-469.
Zhang, L. (2005). Prediction of Chinese Life Satisfaction: Contribution of Collective Self-esteem. International Journal of Psychology, 40(3), 189-200.
Zhang, L., & Leung, J. P. (2002). Moderating effects of gender and age on relationship between self-esteem and life satisfaction in Mainland Chinese. International Journal of Psychology, 37(2), 83-91
- WeChat: 86-13681278048
PROF FRANK LU
Graduate Institute of Sport Coaching Science, Chinese Culture University
Taipei, Taiwan
Research interests:
- optimal psychological state
- elite sports
- psychology of sport excellence
Latest (5) publications:
Po-Fu Lee, Frank Jing-Horng Lu, Diane L. Gill, Yi-Hsiang Chiu, Yu-Hsuan Kuo, & Chien-Chang Ho (2022). The relationship between sufficient leisure-time physical activity and happiness: An age stratification perspective. Current Psychology, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-02946-x. 2.
Liu, H.Y., Lu, F.J. H*., Hsu, Y., Gill, D. L., Chiu, Y.H., & Peng, Y. H. (2022). Interactive effects on motor performance of mindfulness, performance under pressure, self-talk, and motor characteristics. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1-21. 3.
Hsu, Y.W.*, Lin, T.Y., & Lu, F.J.H. (2022). Combating stereotype threat toward athletes’ academic performance: Experiments on identity safety and self-complexity. Current Psychology. 4.
Chien-Hsun Lin, Frank J.H. Lu, Tung-Wei Chen & Yawen Hsu (2021): Relationship between athlete stress and burnout: a systematic review and meta-analysis, International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, DOI: 10.1080/1612197X.2021.1987503 5.
Fang, B., Lu, F.J.H* Lu., Gill, L., Liu, H.S., Chyi, T., Chen, B. (2021). A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Outdoor Education Programs on Adolescents’ Self-Efficacy, Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1-27, https://doi.org/10.1177%2F00315125211022709
PROF KAORI ARAKI
Sonoda Women's University
Japan
Research interests:
- perfectionism in sport
- resilience
- leadership
Latest (5) publications:
荒木香織. (2019). リーダーシップを鍛える. 講談社
荒木香織. (2019). トップアスリートへのコンサルテーション:スポーツ心理学者の役割. ストレス科学研究, 34, 1–7.
荒木香織 (2018). 実力発揮へのメンタルスキル. 関節外科, 37, 1087-1091.
荒木香織 .(2016). ラグビー日本代表を変えた「心の鍛え方」. 講談社+α新書.
Araki, K., Kodani, I., Gupta, N., & Gill, L. D. (2013). Experiences in physical activity among Asian Buddhist, Christian, and Hindu adolescent girls. Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, 46, 43-49.
ASST. PROF NARUEPON VONGJATURAPAT
Burapha University
Thailand
Research interests:
- motivation
- questionnaire validation
- commitment
Latest (5) publications:
Mohamad, N. I., Chinnasee, C., Hemapandha, W., Vongjaturapat, N., Makeje, N., Ratanarojanakool, & Pimjan, L. (2017). Sports Science Based Research on the Sports of Muay Thai: A Systematic Review, Walailak Journal of Science and Technology, 14 (8), 615-625. http://wjst.wu.ac.th/index.php/wjst/issue/view/76 link
Singnoy, C., Vongjaturapat, N., & Fonseca, F. (2015). Development and Psychometric Evaluation of the Sport Imagery Ability Questionnaire Thai Version (SIAQt), International Journal of Sports Science, 5(1), 33-38. doi: 10.5923/j.sports. 20150501.0
Awikunprasert l. C., Vongjaturapat, N., Li, F. & Sittiprapaporn, W. (2012). Therapeutic use of music and exercise program on the quality of life in Thai cancer patients, Research Journal of Applied Sciences, 7(6), 297-300.
Awikunprasert l. C., Vongjaturapat, N., Li, F. & Sittiprapaporn, W. (2012). Music therapy on the quality of life in cancer patients, Research Humanities and Social Sciences, 2(3), 13-16.
Awikunprasert l. C., Vongjaturapat, N., Li, F. & Sittiprapaporn, W. (2012). Exercise Program on the Quality of Life in Cancer Patients. Journal of Natural Sciences Research, 2(2), 18-22.
DR MARIA LUISA GUINTO
University of the Philippines, Diliman
Philippines
Research interests:
- champion mindset
- spirituality in sports
- sport for development
Latest (5) publications:
Guinto, M. L. M. & Logan, I. L. N. (2021). Harnessing the power of sport for disaster recovery. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 14(2), 326-343. DOI:10.1080/2159676X.2021.1922493
Lopez De D’Amico, R., Koushkie Jaromi, M. & Guinto, M. L. M. (Eds.) (2021). Women and Sport in Asia. Routledge.
Roychowdhury, D., Ronkainen, N., & Guinto, M. L. (2021). The transnational migration of mindfulness: A call for reflective pause in sport and exercise psychology. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 101958. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2021.101958
Benzing, V., Nosrat, S., Aghababa, A., Barkoukis, V., Bondarev, D., Chang, Y.-K., Cheval, B., Çiftçi, M.C., Elsangedy, H.M., Guinto, M.L.M., Huang, Z., Kopp, M., Kristjánsdóttir, H., Kuan, G., Mallia, L., Rafnsson, D., Oliveira, G.T.A., Pesola, A.J., Pesce, C., Ronkainen, N.J., Timme, S., & Brand, R. (2021). Staying active under restrictions: changes in type of physical exercise during the Initial COVID-19 lockdown. International Journal of Environmental Research. Public Health, 18(12015). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182212015
Kim, Y., Zhang, L., Lu, F., Araki, K., Vongjaturapat, N., Guinto, M. L., Kuan, G., Lee, J-H., Chang, Y-J., Roychowdhury, D., Huang, Z., Acharya, J., Al-Wattar, N., & Ortega, E. (2021). ASPASP position stand: Strategies for the development of sport and exercise psychology in the Asian and South Pacific region, Asian Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 1(1), 3-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajsep.2021.03.001
PROF JI-HANG LEE
Sungkyunkwan University
Seoul, South Korea
Research interests:
- neural control of movement
- motor learning and plasticity
- procedural memory
Latest (5) publications:
Guo, X. Y., Lee, J-H. & Lee, J. (2020). Relationships of Sport related Stress, Emotional Regulation, and Drop-out Intention among Chinese Highschool Athletes. Korean Journal of Sports Science, 29(1), 237-251.
Guo, X. Y., & Lee, J-H. (2020). A Study on the Differences of Health Promoting Behaviors and Intention on Sport Continuance according to the Lifestyles of Korean and Chinese University Students. Korean Journal of Sport and Leisure Studies, 79, 251-262.
Chang, T. & Lee, J-H. (2019). Working memory correlated prefrontal cortex activations based on the performance levels of elite athletes. Korean Journal of Sport Psychology, 30(4), 59-69.
Kim, B., Lee, J-H., & Jun, S. (2019). Relationships among exercise passion, grit, and exercise adherence of middle-school sport club participants. Korean Journal of Sport and Leisure Studies, 78, 373-384.
Yoon, S., Chang, T. & Lee, J-H. (2019). The effect of social support on sport commitment among judo athletes: The mediating effect of resilience. Korean Journal of Sport Studies, 58(5), 71-80.
PROF YU-KAI CHANG
Department of Physical Education, National Taiwan Normal University
Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
Research interests:
- mental health
- cognitive function
- brain
- neuroscience
- mindfulness
Latest (5) publications:
Papaioannou, A., Schinke, R., Chang, Y-K., Kim, Y., & Duda, J. (2020). Physical activity, health and well-being in an imposed social distanced world. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 414-419. doi: 10.1080/1612197X.2020.1773195 link
Chen, F. T., Hopman, R. J., Huang, C. J., Chu, C. H., Hillman, C. H., Hung, T. M., Chang, Y. K. (2020). The effect of exercise training on brain structure and function in older adults: A systematic review based on evidence from randomized control trials. Journal of Clinical Medicine.
Chang, Y. K., Erickson, K. I., Stamatakis, E., Hung, T. M. (2019). How the 2018 US physical activity guidelines are a call to promote and better understand acute physical activity for cognitive function gains. Sports Medicine, 49(11), 1625-1627
Chang, Y. K., Chen, F. T., Kaun, G., Wei, G. X., Chu, C. H., Yan, J., Chen, A. G., Hung, T. M. (2019). Effects of Acute Exercise Duration on the Inhibition Aspect of Executive Function in Late Middle-Aged Adults. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 11, 227.
Wu, C. H., Karageorghis, C. I., Wang, C. C., Chu, C. H., Kao, S. C., Hung, T. M., & Chang, Y. K. (2019). Effects of acute aerobic and resistance exercise on executive function: An ERP study. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 22(12):1367-1372
PROF ZHIJIAN HUANG
Hubei University
China
Research interests:
- applied sport psychology in elite sports
- health related physical activity
- psychology of physical education
Latest (5) publications:
Hu X., Tang H., Yang Y., Huang, Z. Effect of HIIT on RPE and Affect Experience: A systmatic Review. Journal of Wuhan Institute of Physical Education, 2020, 1-8, 10.15930/j.cnki.wtxb.20200323.011
Zhong B., Huang Z., Wang K., Che B., Song Y. Dilemma and Response: Focusing on the Impact of New Coronavirus Pneumonia. Journal of Sports Research, 2020, 10.15877/j.cnki.nsic.20200402.002
Huang Z., LI J., Zhu M., Ironic Effect of Negation-formed Self-talk on Self-control and Golf Putt Task Performance. China Sport Science, 2019, 39(6):48-54. 10.16469/j.css.201906006
Huang Z., Chen M. Systematic Observation on the Teaching Behavior in College Aerobic Class of Different Experience-level Teachers. Journal of Heibei Sports University, 2019, 33(03): 52-61.
Hackfort D., Huang, Z., Yu L. Theoretical and Methodological Perspectives for Cross-Cultural and Comparative Research in Sport Science. Journal of Sport Research, 2018, 1(05): 32-42.0.15877/j.cnki.nsic.2018.05.004
- WeChat: mindlab