Partnership with Sports Orthopedic Clinic in Yao, Osaka to Strengthen Injury Support for Junior Athletes

Athlete Works Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Osaka; hereinafter "Athlete Works"), which provides specialized training for junior sports, announced that it has begun a partnership with Athletics Orthopedic Shoulder and Knee Sports Clinic (Location: Yao City, Osaka Prefecture) starting in March 2026, with the aim of establishing a medical collaboration system for children's injuries.

According to our company's survey, in the 2025 fiscal year, 47 out of 411 member students (approximately 11%) experienced injuries severe enough to hinder their training, highlighting the need for appropriate medical collaboration. This partnership will establish a system to quickly connect injured athletes with specialists and provide consistent support from rehabilitation to return to competition. We aim to "eliminate children who abandon sports due to injury" and will develop a new support model that integrates medical care and training sites.

Background

Athlete Works has supported the improvement of athletic performance and healthy growth of children as a junior sports training facility with over 1,200 member athletes in total.

On the other hand, our company's survey revealed that in the 2025 fiscal year, 47 out of 411 member students (approximately 11%) experienced injuries severe enough to hinder their training, indicating that injuries are by no means rare among junior athletes. In addition to acute injuries such as sprains, bruises, and fractures, overuse injuries specific to growth spurts, such as Osgood-Schlatter disease (*1) and Little League elbow, have been observed.

However, in the current situation, there are many cases where injured athletes "don't know which medical institution to visit," "cannot adequately consult with those around them about their injury due to concerns about its impact on competitive opportunities," or "return to competition without receiving proper rehabilitation." As a result, this often leads to re-injury or chronic conditions, affecting their ability to continue competing, which is a significant challenge.

Given these realities on the ground, Athlete Works has recognized the need for a comprehensive support system that goes beyond training instruction. In particular, we determined that collaboration with medical institutions is indispensable for consistently supporting athletes from injury onset to return to competition, leading to this initiative.

Through this partnership with Athletics Orthopedic Shoulder and Knee Sports Clinic, which has extensive experience in treating sports injuries, we will promote the construction of a new support model that "seamlessly connects medical care and training."

*1 Osgood-Schlatter disease (Osgood-Schlatter disease) is a sports injury commonly seen in elementary and junior high school students (10-15 years old) during their growth spurt, characterized by a protruding tibial tuberosity (below the kneecap) and accompanied by pain and heat.

Details of Partnership

This partnership will establish a system that consistently supports junior athletes from injury onset to return to competition. The main collaboration details are as follows:

① Smooth Transition to Medical Institutions

When a junior athlete who is a member of Athlete Works sustains an injury during training or competition, they will be referred to Athletics Orthopedic Shoulder and Knee Sports Clinic. By facilitating early diagnosis and treatment by specialists, we aim to reduce the risk of severe injury and prolonged absence from practice or games.

② Mutual Collaboration from Rehabilitation to Return to Competition

For junior athletes who visit the clinic and require a return to training after treatment and rehabilitation, or concurrently, Athlete Works will provide training guidance aimed at their return to competition. We will provide support by dividing specialized areas, from recovery of daily activities by physical therapists (PT) at the clinic to support for returning to competition by athletic trainers (AT) at Athlete Works.

③ Establishment of a Support System that Integrates Medical and On-site Training

According to the junior athlete's condition, medical institutions and training sites will appropriately share information and provide consistent support from recovery to return, based on a unified policy. By connecting medical care and on-site instruction, which have traditionally tended to be separated, we aim to achieve more effective support.

Features of the Initiative

① "Parallel Collaboration Model" by Medical Institutions and Training Facilities

Up until now, while training facilities affiliated with medical institutions have existed, there have not been many cases where medical institutions and private training facilities collaborate in an independent capacity and divide roles. This initiative aims to realize a more effective support system by enabling both parties to leverage their expertise in collaboration.

② Consistent Support from Injury Onset to Return to Competition

A key feature is the ability to provide consistent support from the onset of injury (a negative state) through the recovery of daily living activities to the return to competition (a positive state).

③ Support for Return to Competition by Athletic Trainers

Athlete Works has 9 certified athletic trainers (*2) from the Japan Sports Association (JSPO) as of April 2026, enabling specialized training guidance for returning to competition. They will divide roles with the clinic's physical therapists to provide gradual and appropriate support from medical recovery to return to competition.

*2 A qualification for professionals who collaborate with sports doctors and coaches to prevent injuries during sports activities, provide conditioning, emergency response, and support the safety and performance recovery/improvement of athletes.

Future Developments

Through this partnership, we aim to establish a model that consistently supports junior athletes "from injury prevention to return to competition." Going forward, we will accumulate knowledge through the operation of this collaboration system and develop it into an even more effective support system.

Furthermore, we will engage in information dissemination and awareness activities regarding injury prevention and proper physical development among the junior generation, promoting a better understanding of the overall environment, including athletes themselves, parents, and coaches.

In the future, based on the knowledge gained from this initiative, we will consider expanding similar collaboration models to other regions, thereby supporting the healthy growth and continued participation in sports for even more junior athletes.

Comment from Naoki Umatani, Director of Athletics Orthopedic Shoulder and Knee Sports Clinic

Comment from Hiroyuki Tokumaru, Representative of Athlete Works

About Athletics Orthopedic Shoulder and Knee Sports Clinic

It is a sports orthopedic clinic opened in Yao City, Osaka Prefecture in November 2025. While specializing in shoulder, knee, and sports injuries, it also handles a wide range of general orthopedic conditions. Equipped with high-precision ultrasound devices in both examination and rehabilitation rooms, the clinic focuses on early diagnosis and treatment, and provides individualized exercise therapy programs by physical therapists. Based on evidence-based treatment policies, it provides medical care tailored to each patient.

About Athlete Works

Athlete Works, with the motto "Surpassing your current self," provides developmental training that fosters a strong mind and body capable of enduring challenges for junior athletes in their growth stage and their guardians. Centered on "building a foundation" common to all sports, they also offer specialized courses for specific sports such as baseball and soccer. To date, they have produced graduates who have become professional baseball players and participated in the All Japan University Baseball Championship and the National High School Baseball Championship (Summer Koshien).

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