Research
Exploring "Conditioning" to Maximize Human Performance
Research Philosophy
"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.
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 functions such as inhibitory control and working memory, attention, and decision-making abilities). Our laboratory has demonstrated that VR exercise improves working memory and positive mood (JMIR Serious Games, 2022; Mental Health and Physical Activity, 2024). We are also developing new technology to predict brain fatigue states, including decreased psychological arousal (Journal of Sports Sciences, 2025) and increased fatigue perception, 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 blood hypoxic state during exercise (Scientific Reports, 2022). Currently, we are working to elucidate the common physiological factors between peripheral and central in cognitive fatigue and brain fatigue.
Measurement Equipment
Research Objectives
Identifying optimal exercise conditions and establishing intervention methods for exercise-induced and cognitive fatigue in athletes
Performance Maximization
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. Additionally, we have developed new technology to predict decreased psychological arousal from facial expression changes during exercise (Journal of Sports Sciences, 2025), aiming to establish non-invasive conditioning assessment methods.
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
Research Achievements
Innovative Assessment Methods
Developing non-invasive assessment methods including long-term stress evaluation through hair cortisol and oxytocin analysis, and new technology to predict arousal states from facial expression changes during exercise
VR Technology Application
Exploring new possibilities in sports science by measuring cognitive function and validating training effects using virtual reality environments
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
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
Major Publications
Facial Lower-Region Changes During High-Intensity Exercise as Predictors of Reduced Arousal State
Journal of Sports Sciences
DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2025.2574109Hair Hormones and Heart Rate Variability as Chronic Stress Biomarkers in a Female Long-Distance Runner: A 22-Month Longitudinal Case Study
Research Square (preprint)
DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7872377/v1Pitch Selection Ability and Spatial Executive Function Independently Predict Baseball Batting Performance
Sports
DOI: 10.3390/sports13100367Oxytocin may reduce the accumulation and effects of chronic stress: An exploratory study using hair samples
bioRxiv (preprint)
DOI: 10.1101/2025.04.15.649015Foam Rolling Intervention Improves Lactate Clearance After High-Intensity Exercise
Sports
DOI: 10.3390/sports12110303Exercising with virtual reality is potentially better for the working memory and positive mood than cycling alone
Mental Health and Physical Activity
DOI: 10.1016/j.mhpa.2024.100641Hair cortisol is a physiological indicator of training stress for female footballers
European Journal of Applied Physiology
DOI: 10.1007/s00421-024-05571-7The Potential of Heart Rate Variability Monitoring for Mental Health Assessment in Top Wheel Gymnastics Athletes: A Single Case Design
Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback
DOI: 10.1007/s10484-023-09585-3Cognitive fatigue due to exercise under normobaric hypoxia is related to hypoxemia during exercise
Scientific Reports
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-14146-5The Effects of Acute Virtual Reality Exergaming on Mood and Executive Function
JMIR Serious Games
DOI: 10.2196/38200Neural basis for reduced executive performance with hypoxic exercise
NeuroImage
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.12.091Hypoxia-induced lowered executive function depends on arterial oxygen desaturation
The Journal of Physiological Sciences
DOI: 10.1007/s12576-018-0603-yOngoing Research Projects
Establishing Chronic Stress Assessment Using Hair Cortisol for Physical Activity Promoting Healthy Development
Funding Agency: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
Type: Challenging Research (Pioneering)
Does Exercise-Induced Peripheral Blood Lactate Elevation Cause Prefrontal Cortex Lactate Elevation Related to Cognitive Fatigue?
Funding Agency: University of Tsukuba ARIHHP
Type: Joint Use/Research
Elucidating Neural Mechanisms of Exercise-Induced Executive Function Decline - The Role of Brain Lactate Concentration
Funding Agency: Meiji Yasuda Life Foundation of Health and Welfare
Type: Health Science Research Grant for Young Researchers
Physiological Mechanisms of Exercise-Induced Executive Function Decline: Can Peripheral Blood Lactate Serve as a Biomarker?
Funding Agency: Casio Science Promotion Foundation
Type: Research Grant
Part of our research is supported by JKA
For Those Interested in Our Laboratory
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