Abstract

Every day, we're thrilled by the exciting achievements of athletes and sports figures. We're excited by their superhuman movements and amazed by their strong mental fortitude that prevents them from failing. Athletes possess a variety of abilities, or "amazing skills." We've explored the "secrets" behind these amazing skills from a scientific perspective. "How do canoeists navigate rapids with just one paddle?" "Why do rifle shooters all put one hand in their pocket?" We'll introduce popular sports in alphabetical order across three volumes. In addition to amazing skills, we'll also explain the simple rules, characteristics, ways to enjoy watching and participating in each sport, and the origins of the sport. This series will inspire you to start a new sport or make watching sports more enjoyable. Volume 1 covers the first half of the Japanese alphabet (A to S). We also cover "Obstacle," a new event in modern pentathlon that's been getting a lot of attention. It's familiar in Japan from the TV show "SASUKE," but it's now a sport! ★Featured Sports and Events [Volume 1 A-S] Archery / Weightlifting / Canoe Slalom / Modern Pentathlon / Cricket / Golf / Surfing / Soccer / Rugby Sevens / Cycling (Track & BMX) / Shooting (Rifle Shooting) / Judo / Swimming (Artistic Swimming, Competitive Swimming, Diving) [Volume 2 S-H] Squash / Skateboarding / Sport Climbing / Sailing / Gymnastics (Floor Exercise, Horizontal Bar, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Trampoline) / Table Tennis / Taekwondo / Tennis / Triathlon / Equestrian / Basketball / Badminton [Volume 3 H-R] Volleyball / Handball / Fencing / Flag Football / Boxing / Hockey / Baseball (Softball) / Lacrosse / Track and Field (Sprints, Relays, Marathon, Hammer Throw) / Wrestling / Rowing

Author’s Information

Professor at the Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, and Director of the Institute for Human Performance, Waseda University. After graduating from the Department of Physical Education and Health Education (Physical Education Course) at the Faculty of Education, University of Tokyo, he completed his doctoral studies at the Graduate School of Education, University of Tokyo, and then served as an assistant professor and associate professor at the University of Tokyo before assuming his current position. He conducts research on human physical movement and sports performance from the perspectives of exercise physiology and biomechanics. He also plans, develops, and edits educational materials and books for infants and children. His main edited works include the "What Was War?" second series (Gakken), the "SDGs in Everyday Life" series, the "Sleep Encyclopedia" series (all published by Froebel-kan), the "Books are Friends" series, "The Picture Book of the First Aid Box," and "The Picture Book of Going to the Doctor" (both published by Kin no Hoshi-sha).