News

A total of three teacher training workshops were held at Ono-kita Elementary School in Onojo City, Fukuoka Prefecture. The theme of each workshop was as follows:

First workshop: Coordination and ball exercises that can be done individually (August 28, 2020)

Second workshop: Coordination and scarf exercises that can be done individually (September 16, 2020)

Third workshop: Coordination and beanbag exercises that can be done individually (September 30, 2020)

From April 2019 onward, the Fukusou Project (Fukuoka University) had been engaged in joint research been with Ono-kita Elementary School by carrying out one minute of coordination exercise each day during morning gatherings, and the results of this have been verified.

Unfortunately, this morning gathering initiative has been cancelled because of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Instead, we were able to share a large amount of program content with teachers on the theme of "coordination exercises that can be done individually" either at the start of PE classes or any other openings in the students' schedule, while still avoiding the "three C's" (closed spaces, crowded places, and close-contact settings).

Through this joint research with Ono-kita Elementary School, we have begun to see new effects produced by coordination training, such as improvements in mental stress levels and improved cognitive ability. We have also received many comments from the teachers such as, "We have begun to see children doing the coordination exercises of their own volition, including during break times."

The training workshops have really made us feel the possibilities that this program offers as an "essential item for schools while the pandemic lasts."

Team 2 (Coordination Training Team) plans to continue carrying out research activities at schools going forward and we will continue to provide reports on new topics.

Yoshio Izuhara
Team 2 (Coordination Training Team)