Hirohisa Isogai

Cross-cultural Comparison of Motivation to Learn in Physical Education : Japanese vs Swedish Schoolchildren

The present study compared differences between Japanese and Swedish schoolchildren in learning motivation-related variables in physical education. The subjects were 1,562 Japanese fifth and sixth graders (776 boys and 786 girls) ranging in age from 10 to 12 years and 573 Swedish fifth graders (306 boys and 267 girls) from 10 to 13 years (M = 11.4, SD = 0.5). They completed three questionnaires to evaluate the childrens learning motivation, factors supporting motivation to learn, and preferences of learning behavior. The questionnaires were taken from Nishidas Diagnosis of Learning Motivation in Physical Education Test, a multidimensional and comprehensive test that measures learning motivation. A 2 times 2 (country by sex) multivariate analysis of variance indicated both Swedish boys and girls scored significantly higher than the Japanese children on most subscales. Results were discussed in relation to differences in the sports environment and culture of the two countries.

Multilevel–Multigroup Analysis Using a Hierarchical Tensor SOM Network

This paper describes a method of multilevel–multigroup analysis based on a nonlinear multiway dimensionality reduction. To analyze a set of groups in terms of the probabilistic distribution of their constituent member data, the proposed method uses a hierarchical pair of tensor self-organizing maps (TSOMs), one for the member analysis and the other for the group analysis. This architecture enables more flexible analysis than ordinary parametric multilevel analysis, as it retains a high level of translatability supported by strong visualization. Furthermore, this architecture provides a consistent and seamless computation method for multilevel–multigroup analysis by integrating two different levels into a hierarchical tensor SOM network. The proposed method is applied to a dataset of football teams in a university league, and successfully visualizes the types of players that constitute each team as well as the differences or similarities between the teams.

Effective and Adaptive Learning Based on Diversive/Specific Curiosity

In this paper, an effective and adaptive learning model, in which a concept of curiosity is used, is proposed. The key idea of the proposed method is to introduce the diversive curiosity in addition to specific curiosity. Furthermore we employ the concept of threshold, which control timing of switching two curiosity modes. By employing two curiosity and making a proper selection of them, a learning ability and adaptability is improved. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by some simulations.

Diagnostic Methods for Athletes' Psychological Competitive Abilities and Psychological States before and during Competition

The author, et al. had developed the Diagnostic lnventory for Psychological Competitive Ability (DIPCA. 2, for junior high school students 一 adults) to determine the mental strength of athletes, and the Diagnostic Inventory for Psychological Performance (DIPP. 1) to determine their psychological state during a competition. We had analyzed the correlation between these two diagnostic methods and competitive performance (self evaluation of ability and competition results) and reported their efficacy. In this study, we developed a diagnostic method to determine the psychological state before a competition, analyzed the relationship between the psychological competitive ability, the psychological state before competition and the psychological state during competition, and discussed the diagnostic method.

Relaxing effect of lower leg acupuncture in sedentary university students with regard to physical movement and autonomic nerve activity: Randomized controlled trial

To demonstrate the utility of press needles on the lower limbs in improving response to straight leg raise (SLR) test and cervical movement.