Traditional Sports for Children's Declining Core Strength ── Kokoro Seitaian Group Sponsors "Wanpaku Sumo Shinjuku Ward Tournament" on May 17

Kokoro Seitaian Group (operated by givers Inc., Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director CEO: Yasuhiro Aki), which operates 125 clinics nationwide, 2 overseas locations, and serves 800,000 patients annually, announces its sponsorship of the "48th Wanpaku Sumo Shinjuku Ward Tournament" (organized by the Wanpaku Sumo Shinjuku Ward Tournament Executive Committee) to be held on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at Shinjuku Cosmic Sports Center (Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo). On the day of the event, they will dispatch a team of sports care specialists, including judo therapists and acupuncturists.

Amidst continuous reports from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the Japan Sports Agency regarding the decline in children's core strength and flexibility, the basic movements of traditional sport "sumo," such as Shiko (leg stomping), Koshiwari (hip lowering), and Suriashi (sliding steps), are gaining attention as a solution. Our group will apply the knowledge of body mechanics accumulated through joint research with Toa University (published in the international academic journal "PLOS ONE") to 1,000 elementary school students in Shinjuku Ward, where our headquarters is located. This initiative marks our 20th anniversary (established in February 2006).

Kokoro Seitaian Group

▼ Kokoro Seitaian Group Official Website https://seitai.co.jp/

News Highlights

Kokoro Seitaian Group (operated by givers Inc.), with 125 clinics nationwide, 2 overseas locations, and 800,000 annual patients, sponsors the "48th Wanpaku Sumo Shinjuku Ward Tournament" (1,000 elementary school students participating) to be held on Sunday, May 17, 2026.

Dispatches a team of sports care specialists, including judo therapists and acupuncturists, to provide taping, first aid, health checks, and body care advice on the day.

The background is the continuously pointed out decline in core strength and flexibility among modern elementary school students in physical fitness surveys by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the Japan Sports Agency, and the re-evaluation of the physical value of traditional sport "sumo" as a solution.

Returns the knowledge of body mechanics accumulated through joint research with Toa University (published in PLOS ONE) to the local community of Shinjuku Ward, where the headquarters is located.

As a healthcare group based in Shinjuku Ward, it supports the challenges of local children at its 20th anniversary (established in February 2006).

Declining Core Strength and Flexibility in Modern Elementary School Students and the Re-evaluation of Traditional Sport "Sumo"

The "National Physical Fitness, Motor Ability, and Exercise Habits Survey" conducted annually by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the Japan Sports Agency has long pointed out a declining trend in elementary school students' motor skills and flexibility. Factors such as urbanization, increased screen time, and reduced opportunities for outdoor play are believed to affect the development of basic physical functions, including core strength.

At our group's clinics, which see 800,000 patients annually, we continuously receive consultations from parents about "children's poor posture," "frequent falling," and "difficulty concentrating," recognizing the development of children's core strength as a medium- to long-term social issue.

As a solution to these issues, the basic movements of sumo, such as Shiko, Koshiwari, and Suriashi, are attracting attention. These movements have the characteristic of simultaneously training the nervous system, core, and flexibility, such as balance in one-legged standing, shifting the center of gravity in a low posture, and increasing the range of motion of the hip joint. They are considered one of the most suitable exercises for elementary school age, when the nervous system develops to about 90% of an adult's.

Declining Core Strength and Flexibility in Modern Elementary School Students and the Re-evaluation of Traditional Sport "Sumo"

▼ "Causes and Improvement Methods for Children's Weak Core and Poor Posture | Shiko and Koshiwari are the Strongest Core Training" https://seitai.co.jp/column/kids-taikan-sumo/

Returning Knowledge Gained from Joint Research with Toa University to Local Children

The results of joint research with Toa University have been published in the international academic journal "PLOS ONE" (DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0315596) and applied to the development and improvement of our group's unique body method, "givers method GIFT."

The core of this sponsorship and trainer dispatch is to deliver the concept of sports conditioning, "prepare before breaking," not only to professional athletes but also to local children.

▼ Overview of Joint Research with Toa University and PLOS ONE Publication https://seitai.co.jp/research/

▼ "Actual Injuries and Training of Sumo Wrestlers | Explained by Sports Care Specialists Who Understand Professional Bodies" https://seitai.co.jp/column/sumo-injury-training/

Overview of the "48th Wanpaku Sumo Shinjuku Ward Tournament" and Our Group's Sponsorship/Dispatch Details

Tournament Name: The 48th Wanpaku Sumo Shinjuku Ward Tournament

Date and Time: Sunday, May 17, 2026, 9:30 AM Reception / 10:15 AM Opening Ceremony

Venue: Shinjuku Cosmic Sports Center (3-1-2 Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo)

Organizer: Wanpaku Sumo Shinjuku Ward Tournament Executive Committee

Eligibility: Elementary school students (grades 1-6, boys and girls) residing or attending school in Shinjuku Ward / Capacity: 1,000 students

Tournament Format