It is generally believed that sports in the UK have been fundamentally different from those in the US until now. If the Americanization of the sports is measured by the mass consumption of sports through the mass media, the recent phenomena in UK suggest a widespread Americanization. This is exemplified by such changes as soccer clubs in the UK becoming willing to accept monetary support from the mass media industries and fund raising being carried out by listing in the stock market. Problems from these trends are ; changes in the relationships between clubs and fans, alienation of fans, and loss of cultural identity. In modern society the question becomes, who takes care of common benefits such as social value in enjoyment of sports when the top priority of countless organizations is strictly motivated by profit making? Therefore, it is crucial to find a well balanced relation between social and economic capabilities.

View full abstract

Various new models of skis have been sold on the market every year. Some of them feature a superior damping property. However, it is not clear whether the damping property of the ski is important or not. It has not been explained dynamically how the damping of the ski works while skiing, and what function the damping property performs. On the other hand, various damping materials are used for many skis and special considerations are paid to some skis. Nevertheless, the damping property of the skis has hardly been published. In the present study, to make clear the damping property of the skis, an experimental study was carried out on 40 skis which were sold on the market in 1998. The damping properties of the skis were measured by using an experimental modal analysis technique. Next, the effects of a steel ball damper on the damping property of the ski are studied.

View full abstract

The turning performance of alpine skis has come to be discussed from the point of view of vibration engineering. Vibration of the ski is generated by unevenness of the snow surface when the skier changes edges during turns. This paper compares the evaluation method on the basis of the experimental results of indoor and outdoor tests. From the results of the outdoor test performed on ski slopes, it can be observed that the ski oscillates during the execution of a turn. From the results of the indoor test, it can be confirmed that the modal parameter of a ski under edging conditions while loaded at the binding mounting area can be measured by experimental modal analysis. Natural frequencies measured by indoor test are closely related to the geometry of the thickness and the side-cut, in the case of constant ski length. It can be anticipated that natural frequencies of skis during turns will be simulated by the experimental modal analysis and that new skis will be designed in the near future using these results.

View full abstract

Golf skill is evaluated in conjunction with driver swing. Various factors in golf swing motion are measured. These are ; body twist motion (twist angle, velocity and acceleration), golf club velocity, ball velocity, ball back spin and so on. A new system to measure the body twist motion is proposed, which uses two rate gyros. One of them is set at the center of shoulders and the other is set at the center of waist. By using measured variables and/or factors, the average score estimation system based on the artificial neural network is proposed. Among the factors above, the following eight factors have been found effective in estimating the average score :(1)standard deviation of head velocity(2)average ball velocity(3)standard deviation of ball velocity(4)standard deviation of side spin(5)standard deviation of body twist angle(6)average maximum body twist angular velocity(7)average maximum body twist angular acceleration(8)standard deviation of maximum body twist angular acceleration at impact time The average score estimation system that the uses these eight factors and is based on the artificial neural network successfully estimates the score.

View full abstract

Current societal issues cannot be understood simply in a "conflict of interest" context. The reason is that such problems concern everyone who is a part of the society, and are issues in which no one is uninvolved. The term "social performance" postulates something that you, as a member of society, can do for it, and how you can make your own contribution. This phrase, introduced in America, is aimed at solving problems through a positive rather than a negative approach. The term "social performance" very accurately highlights a major problem in sports. It is now necessary to ask : "Why sports, " rather than : "What are sports?" Why have sports become so popular the world over, as is the case today? When sports assume a significant position in a society, it is inconceivable to determine what sports are without asking the question "Why?" The social performance expected of sports could perhaps be described as including the following five elements : One is moral ; and the second is life. Sports provide life with an instinctive sensation of existence, along with the feeling that one's identity is confirmed. The third is global ; and the fourth is community. Sports revive and reunite disintegrated communities, as well as create new interrelationships and exchanges. The fifth is costs. Sports respond to the concept that people can lead enriched lives at a relatively small social cost. However, there is no one and absolute answer as to what is the appropriate social performance for sports. The people involved need to make their own choices. In Japan the time has come for sports, which have been held in disregard, to be thrown open to society and for its proper social value to be acknowledged.

View full abstract