51³Ô¹ÏÍø

51³Ô¹ÏÍø-IIT hosts lecture on Movement Learning and Fitness Decline by Prof. Suzuki of Tokyo Gakugei University 

Dec 10 2025

In the pursuit of academic excellence through international collaborations, the Department of Physical Education (DPE) of the College of Education (CED) and the WE CARE Office of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø–Iligan Institute of Technology (51³Ô¹ÏÍø-IIT) successfully hosted the lecture of Prof. Naoki Suzuki, PhD, from Tokyo Gakugei University in Tokyo, Japan, where he delivered a lecture on “Addressing Fitness Decline through Movement Learning,” at the University Boardroom on November 21, 2025. The lecture was attended by faculty members from the Departments of Physical Education and Physics, as well as selected MSPE and BPEd students.

Prior to the lecture, a courtesy visit to University Chancellor Alizedney M. Ditucalan, together with Vice Chancellor for International Affairs Dr. Joey Genevieve Martinez, CED Dean Prof. Amelia T. Buan, DPE Chairperson Prof. Harlyn Mae S. Ompoc, and WE CARE Director Prof. Rosario Reserva was held.

In his lecture, Prof. Suzuki discussed Japan’s long-standing success in promoting national fitness and life expectancy through its structured physical education system. He highlighted how Japanese students from Grades 1 to 9 have taken annual physical fitness tests since 1964, demonstrating a consistent nationwide effort to monitor and develop fitness across generations. He explained that PE teachers in Japan design lessons based on national standards that outline clear objectives and content, which teachers then translate into appropriate strategies and activities.

He also emphasized integrating weekly school clean-up activities as a form of exercise, as well as community sports festivals that engage local communities in recreational sports and movement-based activities. However, he noted emerging concerns in Japan, including declining daily physical activity levels, lower body temperature among children, and increasing allergy issues related to reduced movement in modern lifestyles.

Addressing these challenges, Prof. Suzuki discussed Japan’s shift from a fitness-focused curriculum to one centered on movement quality. He described movement quality as the foundation of skill, safety, and enjoyment, focusing on proper alignment, stability, efficient force application, and smooth coordination. According to him, when students experience enjoyable movement, they are more likely to voluntarily engage in physical activity, thereby improving both physical and mental fitness. He underscored that PE should not simply teach students to play sports, but instead use sports as a vehicle to enhance life through meaningful movement experiences. Movement quality, he stressed, supports both physical and mental well-being—an important consideration given rising mental health concerns among today’s youth.

The lecture concluded with an interactive open forum facilitated by Dr. Chiedel Joan San Diego, Assistant Dean of the CED, followed by a coordination meeting with faculty members from Integrated Developmental School (IDS) of CED, the DPE, the Physics Department, and the WE CARE team. The meeting resulted in the development of two collaborative research projects with Prof. Suzuki and initial discussions for a future Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between 51³Ô¹ÏÍø-IIT and Tokyo Gakugei University upon his return.

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