Research

Exploring "Conditioning" to Maximize
Human Performance

Research Philosophy

Experience → Trial → Contribution

"Sports Science through Experience, Trials, and Contribution"

Our laboratory emphasizes field experience, conducts scientifically-based trials, and contributes findings to society. We have developed innovative assessment methods including analysis of accumulated hormones in hair for long-term stress evaluation and prediction of arousal states through facial expression changes. From brain function measurement using fNIRS/fMRI to elucidating the relationship between exercise and cognition, to verification of new training methods using VR technology, we employ multifaceted approaches to achieve performance enhancement and well-being for everyone, from top athletes to the general public.

Three Research Areas

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Body

Physical

Evaluating exercise fatigue and training stress in female athletes using physiological indicators such as hair stress factors (cortisol) and peripheral blood lactate. Scientifically elucidating the effects of foam rolling on lactate clearance promotion and exercise under hypoxic conditions on physical function to propose optimal conditioning methods.

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Mind

Mental

Visualizing long-term chronic stress and mental health that could not be evaluated conventionally through measurement of cortisol and oxytocin in hair. Elucidating the mechanism of cognitive fatigue from exercise under hypoxic conditions (involvement of peripheral blood lactate), while also working on developing new technology to predict arousal states from facial expression changes during exercise.

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Technique

Technical

Demonstrating the effects of VR exercise on working memory and positive mood. Clarifying the relationship between pitch selection ability and spatial executive function in baseball to provide scientific evidence for batting performance improvement. Using fNIRS and fMRI brain activity measurement to elucidate the connection between skill improvement and cognitive function at the brain level.

Research Theme 01

Fatigue Prevention and Cognitive Function Enhancement

Integrated Understanding of Exercise, Environment, and Cognitive Function

Exercise significantly affects not only muscle and cardiopulmonary function but also cognitive functions (executive function, working memory, attention). Our laboratory has demonstrated that VR exercise improves working memory and positive mood (Mental Health and Physical Activity, 2024). We are also working on developing new technology to predict brain fatigue states from facial expression changes during exercise.

On the other hand, we revealed that the cognitive enhancement effect of exercise is weakened under hypoxic conditions (NeuroImage, 2018), and identified that the cause is hypoxemia during exercise (Scientific Reports, 2022). Currently, we are verifying the common physiological factors between peripheral and central in cognitive fatigue through collaborative research with University of Tsukuba ARIHHP.

Measurement Equipment

🔬Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS)

🧲Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

Research Objectives

Identifying optimal exercise conditions and establishing intervention methods for exercise-induced and cognitive fatigue in athletes

Cognitive function measurement using fNIRS device

Research Theme 02

Performance Maximization

Research with Japanese national team athletes

Conditioning Assessment Using Innovative Biomarkers

Our laboratory was the first in the world to demonstrate that hair cortisol can serve as a physiological indicator of training stress in female soccer players (European Journal of Applied Physiology, 2024). We are also advancing research on chronic stress assessment using novel biomarkers such as hair oxytocin.

We have also developed a mental health assessment method using heart rate variability (HRV) for top wheel gymnastics athletes (Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 2023). In terms of recovery, we have demonstrated that foam rolling improves lactate clearance after high-intensity exercise (Sports, 2024).

🏆Research Participants to Date

•University Student Athletes
•Japanese National Wheel Gymnastics Athletes
•Japanese Women's Basketball Top League Players

💡Innovative Assessment Methods

Developing assessment methods using novel biomarkers such as hair and facial expressions

Research Achievements

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Innovative Assessment Methods

Enabling evaluation of long-term stress and mental health that could not be measured conventionally through hair cortisol and oxytocin analysis

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VR Technology Application

Exploring new possibilities in sports science by measuring cognitive function and validating training effects using virtual reality environments

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Brain Function Visualization

Using fNIRS and fMRI to elucidate the relationship between exercise and cognitive function at the brain level, proposing evidence-based training methods

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Collaborative Research with Elite Athletes

Creating practical insights relevant to the field through collaborative research with Olympic and World Championship-level Japanese national team athletes