On Wednesday, October 12, 2022, Waseda University’s Health Promotion: The Joy of Sports and Exercise Unit jointly held the international symposium “Contemporary Issues in Exercise Science: from Sports Performance to Disease Prevention” with Loughborough University (United Kingdom).
Loughborough University has been ranked at the first place in sports-related subjects in the QS University World Rankings for six consecutive years, and is home to many researchers who are attracting attention around the world. Since April 2022, the Unit has welcomed Professor David Stensel as a JA (Joint Appointment) faculty member to give intensive lectures at the Graduate School of Sport Sciences. This symposium was also organized by Professor Stensel and Professor Miyashita, the host faculty member as the coordinators.
At the symposium, Professor Lettie Bishop, Senior Lecturer Dr. Nicola Paine and Senior Research Associate Dr. Alice Thackray were invited as guest speakers, and three faculty members from Waseda University gave presentations in corresponding fields. It was held in a hybrid format in-person and online via Zoom, and about 200 people from the United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, China and other countries participated.
At the symposium, Unit Leader Hiroaki Masaki gave the opening remarks, and Professor Masashi Miyashita served as the facilitator.
Opening Remarks: Professor Masaki (left) Facilitator: Professor Miyashita (center) Closing remarks: Professor Matsuoka (right)
The presentations of each guest speaker were as follows.
- Professor Lettie Bishop (Loughborough University, UK)
“Inactivity and obesity: consequences for immune-mediated inflammation and the development of cardiometabolic disease”
On the usefulness of *physical activity against inflammation in the body that induces long-term disease.
*all movements that consume more energy than a resting state.
- Dr. Daisuke Sugimoto (Waseda University)
“Early sports specialization: Myth and evidence”
From the viewpoint of discovering and developing top athletes, the concept of effective training in the development age group.
- Dr. Nicola Paine (Loughborough University, UK)
“Psychological stress and cardiovascular disease risk – are we sitting on a health problem?”
Effects of psychological stress and *sedentary behavior on cardiovascular diseases.
*In contrast to physical activity, being in a sedentary or lying position.
- Dr. Alice Thackray (Loughborough University, UK)
“The brain, appetite and weight control: is there a role for physical activity?”
From the viewpoint of obesity prevention, the regulation of appetite and eating behavior by the brain and *appetite-regulating hormones, and the influence of exercise on these adjustments.
*Hormones involved in the regulation of appetite secreted by the digestive tract.
- Dr. Kayoko Kamemoto (Waseda University)
“Effects of menstrual cycle on appetite-regulating hormones and energy intake in response to an acute bout of exercise”
Effects of the menstrual cycle on appetite-regulating hormones and energy intake after acute exercise in young female athletes.
- Professor David Stensel (Loughborough University, UK/Waseda University)
“What is the role of physical activity in the prevention and management of overweight and obesity?”
Comprehensive measures, including physical activity (bariatric surgery, drug therapy, diet) for the prevention and control of overweight and obesity.
- Dr. Michael Annear (Waseda University)
“Physical activity behaviors and intentions among middle-aged and older Japanese across the COVID-19 pandemic”
Physical activity of Japan middle-aged and elderly people during the COVID-19 pandemic and future social and environmental improvement measures.
Along the way, there was a lunch break and a tea break, and many questions and answers were exchanged both at the venue and online. After Professor Hirotaka Matsuoka gave the closing remarks, the speakers and participants took pictures. The meeting closed in a good atmosphere.
Guest speakers from Loughborough University and Waseda University, as well as students from the laboratories of related faculty members
