This study investigated the impact of university sports spectatorship on student well-being, with a particular focus on reductions in loneliness and increases in psychological closeness. A total of 35 students (most of whom were previously unacquainted) participated across three American football games (n = 12, 11, and 12 per game) and completed questionnaires before and after each game. Results showed a decrease in loneliness and a statistically meaningful increase in closeness. Bio signal data further revealed physiological synchrony among participants, especially during high-tension moments such as close scores or critical setbacks for the team. These findings suggest that university sports spectatorship fosters shared emotional experiences, enhances social connectedness and may contribute to student well-being. This study highlights the potential of sports events as a social platform for alleviating student isolation and supporting psychological health in university settings.

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This study aims to examine how “extraordinary” disaster preparedness events can be integrated into the “everyday” school context and management, based on the perspectives of teachers and university students who served as staff at a residential disaster preparedness camp. The camp, held at a combined junior and senior high school, provided comprehensive disaster education through an overnight experience that simulated life in an evacuation shelter. The program covered not only physical preparedness but also diversity and psychosocial care. Six months after the camp, an open-ended questionnaire was administered to ten staff members, and the responses were analyzed qualitatively using the KJ method. The analysis identified three critical components for student education: learning activities that help students perceive disasters as personally relevant, visualizing diverse needs within the school, and treating disaster education as continuous learning rather than a one-time event. From the perspective of school management, the results showed the importance of improving teachers’ decision-making skills, building support systems for staff, conducting practical training, and integrating disaster topics into daily routines. These findings suggest that effective disaster education requires integrating educational practices with school management, rooted in the school’s organizational culture.

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In baseball, base stealing is an important strategic option for increasing scoring opportunities. Given its importance, this study investigated usage trends of initial step patterns during base stealing among Major League Baseball (MLB) players using online video and data platforms. Additionally, this study examined the relationship between sprint ability and base stealing performance. Initial step patterns during base stealing were classified into three categories: jab step, crossover step, and mixed step. The number and percentage of players using each pattern were calculated for 52 MLB players with superior stolen base metrics. Sprint ability was assessed using sprint time from home plate to first base, as well as 30-, 60-, and 90-foot sprint times. Base stealing performance was evaluated based on the number of successful stolen bases and the stolen base success rate. Relationships between these two variables were analyzed for 54 MLB players. Among the 52 players, 48 players (92.3%) used the jab step, whereas none used the crossover step (0%), and 4 players (7.7%) used the mixed step. The sprint time from home plate to first base was significantly correlated with the number of successful stolen bases (ρ = −0.270, P = 0.049). Furthermore, the 30-, 60-, and 90-foot sprint times were significantly correlated with the stolen base success rate (r = −0.283 to −0.308, P < 0.05). These results indicate that for MLB players, sprint ability may play a more critical role in base stealing performance than the selection of initial step patterns during base stealing. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to identify the usage trend of initial step patterns and to demonstrate the importance of sprint ability for successful base stealing in top-level baseball players. The present findings may contribute to practical strategies for improving base stealing performance in baseball players.

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In preparation for the 79th National Sports Festival, the Shiga Prefecture Athletic Performance Improvement Headquarters established a committee to provide medical and scientific support for athletes and coaches, and has carried out its activities for more than 10 years. This report outlines the activities of the committee’s Sports Science Division. The division has provided (1) nutritional support for athletes, (2) psychological support for athletes, (3) support for the measurement of physical fitness and athletic performance in junior athletes, and (4) individualized support for elite athletes. These activities have been highly evaluated by both athletes and coaches and are regarded as having played an important role in achieving the overall championship titles in both the men’s and women’s divisions. Continued discussion is required to sustain these activities in the future.

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