Maarten Immink

Teaching Strengths

Motor Learning and Control
Motor Neuroscience
Brain and Cognition

Dr Maarten Immink

School of Society and Culture

College of Education, Behavioural and Social Sciences

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.

Available For Media Comment.

My expertise is in the learning and performance of motor skills. I am internationally recognised for my research that has furthered our theoretical understanding of how we acquire movement sequences as we progress from beginner to automaticity stages of learning.  I am also recognised for my work that has investigated the benefits of cognitive training interventions for  human performance enhancement. My research informs such applications as rehabilitation, sport high performance and personnel training. I am currently involved in several national and international collaborative and multi-disciplinary teams conducting basic, clinical and applied research. 

  • neurocognitive contributions to human movement learning and performance
  • strategies to enhance neural plasticity and memory consolidation processes for skill learning
  • stress, anxiety and mood modulators of skill learning and performance
  • mental training to improve skill learning and performance

Year Citation
2025 Hancock, S., Thayabaranathan, T., Stolwyk, R., Cameron, J., Immink, M. A., Hillier, S., . . . Cadilhac, D. A. (2025). Anxiety, Depression, Fatigue, and Quality of Life Outcomes Following a Movement-Based Mindfulness or Social Group Program for Chronic Stroke: A Sub-Study of a Phase II Feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial. Mindfulness, 16(6), 1612-1623.
DOI Scopus2 WoS1
2025 Thayabaranathan, T., Paul, M., Walker, F. R., Hancock, S., Allan, L., Immink, M. A., . . . Cadilhac, D. A. (2025). Movement-Based Mindfulness vs. Attention Control for Modifying Physiological Risk in Chronic Stroke: Evidence from a Feasibility Trial. Healthcare Switzerland, 13(22), 14 pages.
DOI
2025 Ali, H., Chatburn, A., & Immink, M. A. (2025). Post-error slowing during motor sequence learning under extrinsic and intrinsic error feedback conditions. Psychological Research, 89(1), 1-17.
DOI
2025 Richter, M. J., Ali, H., & Immink, M. A. (2025). Enhancing executive function in children and adolescents through motor learning: a systematic review. Journal Of Motor Learning And Development, 13(1), 59-108.
DOI
2024 Hall, K. B., Immink, M. A., Martin, D. T., Bennett, H., & Crowther, R. G. (2024). Dose-response effect of an inertia flywheel postactivation performance enhancement protocol on countermovement jump performance. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 40(2), 147-154.
DOI
2024 Dziego, C. A., Bornkessel Schlesewsky, I., Schlesewsky, M., Sinha, R., Immink, M. A., & Cross, Z. R. (2024). Augmenting complex and dynamic performance through mindfulness-based cognitive training: an evaluation of training adherence, trait mindfulness, personality and resting-state EEG. PLoS ONE, 19(5), 1-30.
DOI Scopus3 Europe PMC3
2023 Brown, J. O., Chatburn, A., Wright, D. L., & Immink, M. A. (2023). A single session of mindfulness meditation expedites immediate motor memory consolidation to improve wakeful offline learning. Journal of Motor Learning and Development, 11(1), 45-70.
DOI Scopus2
2023 Dziego, C. A., Bornkessel Schlesewsky, I., Jano, S., Chatburn, A., Schlesewsky, M., Immink, M. A., . . . Cross, Z. R. (2023). Neural and cognitive correlates of performance in dynamic multi-modal settings. Neuropsychologia, 180(108483), 1-14.
DOI Scopus10 Europe PMC12
2023 Bitton, S., Chatburn, A., & Immink, M. A. (2023). The influence of focused attention and open monitoring mindfulness meditation states on true and false memory. Journal of Cognitive Enhancement, 7(1-2), 81-96.
DOI
2022 Goodman, S. P. J., Immink, M. A., & Marino, F. E. (2022). Hypohydration alters pre-frontal cortex haemodynamics, but does not impair motor learning. Experimental Brain Research, 240(9), 2255-2268.
DOI
2022 Bartos, L. J., Funes, M. J., Ouellet, M., Posadas, M. P., Immink, M. A., & Krägeloh, C. (2022). A feasibility study of a program integrating mindfulness, yoga, positive psychology, and emotional intelligence in tertiary-level student musicians. Mindfulness, 13(10), 2507-2528.
DOI
2022 Thayabaranathan, T., Immink, M. A., Hillier, S., Stolwyk, R., Andrew, N. E., Stevens, P., . . . Cadilhac, D. A. (2022). Co-designing a new yoga-based mindfulness intervention for survivors of stroke: A formative evaluation. Neurology International, 14(1), 1-10.
DOI Scopus9 WoS10 Europe PMC3
2022 O'Connor, E. J., Murphy, A., Kohler, M. J., Chan, R. W., & Immink, M. A. (2022). Instantaneous effects of mindfulness meditation on tennis return performance in elite junior athletes completing an implicitly sequenced serve return task. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 4(907654), 907654.
DOI Scopus5 WoS5 Europe PMC5
2021 Liebherr, M., Corcoran, A. W., Alday, P. M., Coussens, S., Bellan, V., Howlett, C. A., . . . Bornkessel-Schlesewsky, I. (2021). EEG and behavioral correlates of attentional processing while walking and navigating naturalistic environments. Scientific Reports, 11(1), 22325-1-22325-13.
DOI Scopus24 WoS21 Europe PMC14
2021 Immink, M. A., Cross, Z. R., Chatburn, A., Baumeister, J., Schlesewsky, M., & Bornkessel Schlesewsky, I. (2021). Resting-state aperiodic neural dynamics predict individual differences in visuomotor performance and learning. Human Movement Science, 78(article no. 102829), 1-13.
DOI Scopus27 Europe PMC29
2021 Immink, M. A., Pointon, M., Wright, D. L., & Marino, F. E. (2021). Prefrontal cortex activation during motor sequence learning under interleaved and repetitive practice: a two-channel near-infrared spectroscopy study. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 15(644968), 1-15.
DOI Scopus6
2020 Chan, R. W., Alday, P. M., Zou Williams, L., Lushington, K., Schlesewsky, M., Bornkessel Schlesewsky, I., & Immink, M. A. (2020). Focused-attention meditation increases cognitive control during motor sequence performance: Evidence from the N2 cortical evoked potential. Behavioural Brain Research, 384(article no. 112536), 112536.
DOI
2020 Brinsley, J., Schuch, F., Lederman, O., Girard, D., Smout, M., Immink, M. A., . . . Rosenbaum, S. (2020). Effects of yoga on depressive symptoms in people with mental disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 55(17), 1-10.
DOI Scopus132 WoS119 Europe PMC82
2019 Jongkees, B. J., Immink, M. A., Boer, O. D., Yavari, F., Nitsche, M. A., & Colzato, L. S. (2019). The effect of cerebellar tDCS on sequential motor response selection. Cerebellum, 18(4), 738-749.
DOI
2018 Chan, R. W., Lushington, K., & Immink, M. A. (2018). States of focused attention and sequential action: a comparison of single session meditation and computerised attention task influences on top-down control during sequence learning. Acta psychologica, 191, 87-100.
DOI
2018 Jongkees, B. J., Immink, M. A., Finisguerra, A., & Colzato, L. S. (2018). Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) enhances response selection during sequential action. Frontiers in psychology, 9(6, article no. 1159), 1-8.
DOI
2018 Thayabaranathan, T., Immink, M. A., Stevens, P., Hillier, S., Thrift, A. G., Brodtmann, A., . . . Cadilhac, D. A. (2018). Understanding the potential for yoga and tai chi interventions to moderate risk factors for stroke-a scoping review. Future neurology, 13(4), 239-252.
DOI Scopus5 WoS6
2017 Thayabaranathan, T., Andrew, N. E., Immink, M. A., Hillier, S., Stevens, P., Stolwyk, R., . . . Cadilhac, D. A. (2017). Determining the potential benefits of yoga in chronic stroke care: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation, 24(4), 279-287.
DOI Scopus34 WoS30 Europe PMC19
2017 Kohler, M., Rawlings, M., Kaeding, A., Banks, S., & Immink, M. A. (2017). Meditation is effective in reducing sleepiness and improving sustained attention following acute sleep restriction. Journal of Cognitive Enhancement, 1(2), 210-218.
DOI Scopus1
2017 Loudon, A., Barnett, T., Williams, A. D., Visentin, D., Immink, M. A., & Piller, N. (2017). Guidelines for teaching yoga to women with breast cancer-related lymphoedema: an evidence-based approach. International journal of yoga therapy, 27(1), 95-112.
DOI
2017 Chan, R. W., Immink, M. A., & Lushington, K. (2017). The influence of focused-attention meditation states on the cognitive control of sequence learning. Consciousness and cognition, 55, 11-25.
DOI
2017 Immink, M. A., Colzato, L. S., Stolte, M., & Hommel, B. (2017). Sequence learning enhancement following single-session meditation is dependent on metacontrol mode and experienced effort. Journal of cognitive enhancement, 1(2), 127-140.
DOI
2017 Kuipers, M., Richter, M., Scheepers, D., Immink, M., Sjak Shie, E., & Van Steenbergen, H. (2017). How effortful is cognitive control? Insights from a novel method measuring single-trial evoked beta-adrenergic cardiac reactivity. International journal of psychophysiology, 119, 87-92.
DOI
2017 Jongkees, B. J., Immink, M. A., & Colzato, L. S. (2017). Influences of glutamine administration on response selection and sequence learning: a randomized-controlled trial. Scientific reports, 7(1), 1-9.
DOI
2016 Loudon, A., Barnett, T., Piller, N., Immink, M. A., Visentin, D., & Williams, A. D. (2016). The effects of yoga on shoulder and spinal actions for women with breast cancer-related lymphoedema of the arm: a randomised controlled pilot study. BMC complementary and alternative medicine, 16(343), 1-15.
DOI
2016 Wright, D., Verwey, W., Buchanen, J., Chen, J., Rhee, J., & Immink, M. (2016). Consolidating behavioral and neurophysiologic findings to explain the influence of contextual interference during motor sequence learning. Psychonomic bulletin and review, 23(1), 1-21.
DOI Scopus75 WoS66 Europe PMC52
2016 Immink, M. A. (2016). Post-training meditation promotes motor memory consolidation. Frontiers in psychology, 7(1698), 1-10.
DOI
2016 Robertson, C. V., Immink, M. A., & Marino, F. E. (2016). Exogenous cortisol administration: effects on risk taking behavior, exercise performance, and physiological and neurophysiological response. Frontiers in physiology, 7(640), 1-14.
DOI
2016 Rosso, E. G. F., McGrath, R., Immink, M. A., & May, E. (2016). Sport for development and peace (S4D) as 'core university business'? Modelling university participation in sport-based social development. Asia-Pacific journal of health, sport and physical education, 7(1), 77-90.
DOI
2016 Hordacre, B., Immink, M., Ridding, M., & Hillier, S. (2016). Perceptual-motor learning benefits from increased stress and anxiety. Human Movement Science, 49, 36-46.
DOI Scopus26 WoS23 Europe PMC16
2015 Hillier, S., Immink, M., & Thewlis, D. (2015). Assessing proprioception: a systematic review of possibilities. Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, 29(10), 933-949.
DOI Scopus253 WoS226 Europe PMC192
2015 Li, K., Wei, N., Yue, S., Thewlis, D., Fraysse, F., Immink, M., & Eston, R. (2015). Coordination of digit force variability during dominant and non‑dominant sustained precision pinch. Experimental Brain Research, 233(7), 2053-2060.
DOI Scopus28 WoS25 Europe PMC15
2014 Immink, M., Hillier, S., & Petkov, J. (2014). Randomized controlled trial of yoga for chronic poststroke hemiparesis: motor function, mental health, and quality of life outcomes. Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation, 21(3), 256-271.
DOI Scopus74 WoS61 Europe PMC45
2014 Cathcart, S., Galatis, N., Immink, M., Proeve, M., & Petkov, J. (2014). Brief mindfulness-based therapy for chronic tension-type headache: a randomized controlled pilot study. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 42(1), 1-15.
DOI Scopus73 WoS63 Europe PMC52
2014 Loudon, A., Barnett, T., Piller, N., Immink, M. A., & Williams, A. D. (2014). Yoga management of breast cancer-related lymphoedema: a randomised controlled pilot-trial. BMC complementary and alternative medicine, 14(1), 1-13.
DOI
2014 Immink, M. A. (2014). Fatigue in neurological disorders: a review of self-regulation and mindfulness-based interventions. Fatigue: biomedicine, health & behavior, 2(4), 202-218.
DOI
2013 Della Vedova, C., Cathcart, S., Dohnalek, A., Lee, V., Hutchinson, M., Immink, M., & Hayball, J. (2013). Peripheral interleukin-1β levels are elevated in chronic tension-type headache patients. Pain Research & Management : The Journal of the Canadian Pain Society = journal de la société canadienne pour le traitement de la douleur, 18(6), 301-306.
DOI Scopus37 WoS28 Europe PMC30
2013 Cathcart, S., Barone, V., Immink, M., Proeve, M., & Hayball, J. (2013). Mindfulness training does not reduce inflammatory cytokine levels in chronic tension-type headache. Journal of Pain Management, 6(3), 235-238.
Scopus4
2013 Cathcart, S., Barone, V., Immink, M., & Proeve, M. (2013). Mindfulness training does not reduce generalized hyperalgesia in chronic tension-type headache. Journal of Pain Management, 6(3), 217-221.
Scopus3
2012 Douglass, J., Immink, M., Piller, N., & Ullah, S. (2012). Yoga for women with breast cancer-related lymphoedema: a preliminary 6-month study. Journal of Lymphoedema, 7(2), 30-38.
Scopus21
2012 Cathcart, S., Bhullar, N., Immink, M. A., Della Vedova, C., & Hayball, J. D. (2012). Pain sensitivity mediates the relationship between stress and headache intensity in chronic tension-type headache. Pain Research and Management, 17(6), 377-380.
DOI Scopus23 WoS24 Europe PMC17
2012 Chan, W., Immink, M., & Hillier, S. (2012). Yoga and exercise for symptoms of depression and anxiety in people with poststroke disability: A randomized, controlled pilot trial. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 18(3), 34-43.
Scopus58 WoS50 Europe PMC41
2012 Immink, M. A., Wright, D. L., & Barnes, W. S. (2012). Temperature dependency in motor skill learning. Journal of motor behavior, 44(2), 105-113.
DOI Scopus8 Europe PMC3
2012 Loudon, A., Barnett, T., Piller, N., Immink, M. A., Visentin, D., & Williams, A. D. (2012). The effect of yoga on women with secondary arm lymphoedema from breast cancer treatment. BMC complementary and alternative medicine, 12(1).
DOI
2012 Immink, M. A. (2012). A comparative trial of lecture, online lesson and blended modes of teaching motor learning and control theory. Journal of sport and exercise psychology, June 2012, 91-92.
2012 Loudon, A., Barnett, T., Piller, N., Williams, A., & Immink, M. (2012). Using yoga in breast cancer-related lymphoedema. Journal of Lymphoedema, 7(1), 27-36.
2011 Garrett, R., Immink, M., & Hillier, S. (2011). Becoming connected: The lived experience of yoga participation after stroke. Disability and Rehabilitation, 33(25-26), 2404-2415.
DOI Scopus55 WoS47 Europe PMC38
2011 Immink, M. A., Hordacre, B. G., & Hillier, S. L. (2011). Preceding motor task learning with exposure to elevated levels of psychological stress improves short- and long-term performance in healthy adults. Journal of sport and exercise psychology, 33(s1), 78.

Year Citation
2020 Immink, M. A., Verwey, W. B., & Wright, D. L. (2020). The neural basis of cognitive efficiency in motor skill performance from early learning to automatic stages. In C. S. Nam (Ed.), Source details - Title: Neuroergonomics: Principles and Practice (pp. 221-249). Switzerland: Springer.
DOI Scopus29
2013 Cathcart, S., Vedova, C. D., Immink, M., Proeve, M., & Hayball, J. (2013). Mindfulness training and inflammatory cytokine levels in chronic tension-type headache. In Disability and Chronic Disease (pp. 153-158).
2013 Cathcart, S., Barone, V., Immink, M., & Proeve, M. (2013). Mindfulness training and chronic tension-type headache. In Disability and Chronic Disease (pp. 145-152).

Year Citation
2018 Thayabaranathan, T., Immink, M. A., Stevens, P., Hillier, S., Thrift, A. G., Brodtmann, A., . . . Cadilhac, D. (2018). Movement-based mindfulness interventions and potential pathophysiological pathways for moderating stroke risk - a scoping review. In INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF STROKE Vol. 13 (pp. 31). SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD.
2017 Greaves, D., Immink, M. A., Thewlis, D., & Wright, D. L. (2017). Stimulus-response compatibility during sequence learning under high and lowcontextual interference. In JOURNAL OF SPORT & EXERCISE PSYCHOLOGY Vol. 39 (pp. S134). HUMAN KINETICS PUBL INC.
2016 Kohler, M., Banks, S., & Immink, M. (2016). MEDITATION CAN REDUCE SLEEPINESS AND IMPROVE ATTENTION FOLLOWING ACUTE SLEEP RESTRICTION. In JOURNAL OF SLEEP RESEARCH Vol. 25 (pp. 42). WILEY-BLACKWELL.
2015 Immink, M., & Polley, S. (2015). Opening minds: peer-based mindfulness training in a human movement degree first-year student camp. In Values into action-a brighter future (pp. 73-79). Australia: ACHPER.
2013 Chan, W., & Immink, M. A. (2013). Yoga for the management of neurological motor impairments : a review and key recommendations. In CBP 2013 : 2nd Annual International Conference on Cognitive and Behavioral Psychology (pp. 1-3). Singapore: Global Science and Technology Forum.
DOI

Year Citation
2019 Immink, M. A., Stolte, M., Scheepers, D., Sjak Shie, E., van Steenbergen, H., Colzato, L., & Hommel, B. (2019). The effort of meditation: Cardiac pre-ejection period during first session of focused-attention and open-monitoring meditation. Poster session presented at the meeting of International journal of psychophysiology. Netherlands: Elsevier.
DOI
2018 Immink, M. A., Chatburn, A., Pomeroy, D., Thomas, B., Chahl, J., Schlesewsky, M., . . . Billinghurst, M. (2018). A systematic review and meta-analysis of transfer effects from working memory, video game and meditation-based modalities of cognitive training. Poster session presented at the meeting of Abstract from the Defence human sciences symposium. Australia: Australian Government.
2017 Immink, M. A., Marino, F., Pointon, M., & Wright, D. L. (2017). Prefrontal cortex activation during sequence learning under high and low levels of contextual interference: A two-channel near-infrared spectroscopy study. Poster session presented at the meeting of Journal of sport & exercise psychology. Netherlands: Elsevier.
2017 Immink, M. A., Chan, R. W., Greaves, D., & Shcherbakova, O. (2017). Fixation in sequence learning occurs with previous practice involving random and complex but not simple sequence structures. Poster session presented at the meeting of Journal of sport and exercise psychology. US: Elsevier.
2017 Greaves, D., Immink, M. A., Thewlis, D., & Wright, D. L. (2017). Stimulus-response compatibility during sequence learning under high and low contextual interference. Poster session presented at the meeting of Journal of sport and exercise psychology. US: Elsevier.
2017 Chan, R. W., Immink, M. A., & Lushington, K. (2017). Hedonic states in sequence learning: A comparison of pre-learning pleasure states induced by focused-attention meditation and sustained attentional task. Poster session presented at the meeting of Journal of sport & exercise psychology. Netherlands: Elsevier.
2017 Immink, M. A., Opie, G. M., Wright, D. L., & Semmler, J. G. (2017). An investigation into the role of the primary motor cortex in the contextual interference effect for motor sequence learning. Poster session presented at the meeting of ACNS abstracts. Australia: Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Society.
2017 Chan, R. W., Zou, L., Alday, P. M., Lushington, K., Schlesewsky, M., Bornkessel Schlesewsky, I., & Immink, M. A. (2017). Enhancing sequential action through single session meditation and training: Behavioural and neural correlates of meditation-facilitated motor sequence learning. Poster session presented at the meeting of Conference Abstract: ASP2017: 27th Annual Meeting for the Australasian Society for Psychophysiology. Australia: Frontiers.
DOI
2016 Chan, R. W., Immink, M. A., Lushington, K., & Mosewich, A. D. (2016). Stimulus or response based sequence learning is determined by temporal placement of a preceding focused attention meditation. Poster session presented at the meeting of 2016 North American Society for Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity Conference. US: Taylor & Francis.
2016 Mosewich, A. D., Baranoff, J., & Immink, M. A. (2016). An athlete's experience learning and incorporating mindfulness and self-compassion in a high performance sport context. Poster session presented at the meeting of Journal of exercise, movement, and sport. US: SCAPPS refereed abstracts repository.
2016 Mosewich, A. D., Immink, M. A., & McGregor, M. (2016). From the cricketers' perspectives: experiences of a 21 day mindfulness training program. Poster session presented at the meeting of Journal of sport and exercise psychology. US: Human Kinetics.
2014 Immink, M. A. (2014). Yoga for emotional wellbeing following brain insult: Preliminary research in a stroke population. Poster session presented at the meeting of Presented at the Society for Mental Health Research Conference. Australia: Society for Mental Health Research.
2012 Immink, M. A., Chan, R. W., & Hillier, S. L. (2012). A pilot randomized controlled trial of yoga therapy supplemented exercise interventions for motor function and quality of life outcomes in patients with chronic post-stroke hemiparesis. Poster session presented at the meeting of Journal of sport and exercise psychology. US: Human Kinetics Publishers.
DOI
2012 Immink, M. A. (2012). Post-training meditation mediates motor memory consolidation. Poster session presented at the meeting of Journal of sport and exercise psychology. US: Human Kinetics Publishers.

  • HPRnet - Enhancing human performance in complex environments, Defence Science and Technology Group, 23/03/2017 - 23/05/2021

Programs I'm associated with

  • IBHT - Bachelor of Human Movement
  • IBXS - Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science

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