GSUN Connections: Waseda professor visits Oregon
Research, Innovation, and Global Collaboration — Insights from the University of Oregon, USA
Assistant Professor Gaku Kakehata, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University was honored to have visited the University of Oregon. During the visit, he engaged in an academic exchange with Professor Mike Hahn of the Department of Human Physiology and Director of the Bowerman Sports Science Center.
Professor Hahn’s laboratory is uniquely situated within the iconic Hayward Field—widely regarded as the spiritual home of track and field. Notably, the lab is directly connected to the indoor track facility, creating a seamless link between experimental research and real-time athletic performance. This distinctive setting sparked new research ideas for Assistant Professor Kakehata, who described it as a truly one-of-a-kind environment—arguably unparalleled in the world for sport science research.
During the visit, Assistant Professor Kakehata explored the laboratory’s advanced approaches to performance analysis, training methodologies, and athlete support systems. As an active track and field coach, he found the experience particularly inspiring and expressed great enthusiasm for the facility, where scientific research and athletic practice are closely intertwined.
Beyond the technical insights, the visit also provided a valuable opportunity to exchange perspectives on sports culture, coaching philosophies, and research applications between Japan and the United States.
This meaningful interaction marks the beginning of a promising relationship between the Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, and the Department of Human Physiology, University of Oregon. Both institutions look forward to fostering deeper collaboration through joint research initiatives, academic exchange, and the strengthening of cultural ties in the field of sport sciences.
Kakehata also met with Hide Hayashi, PhD candidate at the University of Oregon, during his visit (pictured above). Hayashi completed his Master’s degree at the Graduate School of Sport Sciences, Waseda University (Kawakami Lab).