The professors in Faculty of Sport and Health Science at Ritsumeikan University  have developed a special exercise program which enables junior high-school students in the earth quake and tsunami-hit areas in Tohoku to build their physical fitness. Since school grounds have been occupied by temporary houses for evacuees, the junior high school students cannot use it for their exercise activity. The program has been successful since it was first introduced in Ofunato municipal Dai-Ichi junior high school in February 2012.

After the earthquake, Ofunato City constructed temporary houses in the schoolyards of 9 out of 22 Ofunato municipal elementary and junior high schools. The city is planning to transfer residential areas to upland and build an embankment in anticipation of flooding from tsunami. However, it is necessary to obtain agreement from local residents to realize the project and there is a likelihood that people’s refuge life in temporary shelters will prolong.

Ritsumeikan University concluded a rehabilitation project agreement with Ofunato City. The decision has been put in practice because one of the employees of Ofunato city is a graduate of the university. To meet the demands of teachers concerning about a decline in physical fitness of their junior high school students, Ritsumeikan proposed some types of exercise programs which improve students’ strength, endurance and flexibility.

Basically, all the trainings are conducted in pairs to motivate students. For example, a student holds up the other for the purpose of improving their back strength.  The students repeat high intensity 20 second exercise with 10 seconds of rest between the exercise for improving their exercise capacity effectively.

The professors and students at Ritsumeikan University visited Dai-Ichi junior high school in February of this year and explained the program to the students. Fifty five students in eighth and ninth grade participating in some sports club activities showed a progress in physical fitness conducted in June. Some increased the numbers of push-ups from 25 to 35 and improved their stamina and flexibility