Innovation in the Rehabilitation Facility Exclusively for Athletes of Toyota Corporation
The Toyota Sports Center in Japan is home to a unique facility, the Reconditioning Center, which serves as a specialized hub for athletes' recovery, rehabilitation, and performance enhancement. Established in April 2018, the center is a testament to Toyota's commitment to the well-being of its athletes and employees.
At the helm of this centre is Atsuo Okado, its dedicated Director. Okado's vision for the Reconditioning Center extends beyond the confines of the sports arena, aiming to collaborate with various clubs and trainers to create a comprehensive network of support.
The Reconditioning Center offers a variety of tailored therapies, including soft tissue treatment, physical therapy, and possibly prehabilitation and post-injury rehabilitation strategies. Soft tissue therapy, in particular, is a key focus, with hands-on treatments designed to aid muscle recovery and injury prevention.
The centre's primary role is to support athletes in recovering from injury or fatigue, optimising their physical condition, and thereby improving overall athletic performance. This approach is instrumental in reducing downtime from injuries, enhancing muscle function, and supporting the athlete’s return to peak condition efficiently.
Okado's efforts are not limited to the world of professional sports. He aspires to apply the knowledge gained from working with top-class athletes to help people with common ailments like knee or back pain.
The Reconditioning Center has grown into a hub that allows various clubs and their trainers to interact with each other. It has become a place where athletes can ask questions, be inspired by athletes of other clubs, and have more opportunities to connect with them.
In addition, the Reconditioning Center carries out functional checks once or twice a year at all competitive sports clubs to examine and measure the muscle strength and flexibility of every single athlete. This proactive approach to athlete well-being is unique to Toyota and is a significant step towards preventing injuries and other problems among athletes, as well as illnesses among employees.
Okado's joy lies in seeing all athletes recover and return to competing, regardless of their prominence. His ambition is to further enrich Japan's sports culture and continue to make a positive impact on the athletic community. With plans to expand support to more Toyota athletes and employees, the Reconditioning Center is poised to play a crucial role in the future of sports recovery and performance enhancement.
The Reconditioning Center at Toyota Sports Center in Japan, under the guidance of Director Atsuo Okado, aims to collaborate not only with the sports sector but also with health-and-wellness clubs and fitness-and-exercise trainers to create a holistic network of support. This includes various therapies-and-treatments like soft tissue therapy, physical therapy, and prehabilitation and post-injury rehabilitation strategies, not just for professional athletes but also for individuals dealing with common health issues such as knee or back pain.
