Physical Therapy

It is the work of a physical therapist to recover physical dysfunction by exercise therapy, administering treatment using physical movement. After practicing exercise therapy with patients and achieving recovery of physical dysfunction, a physical therapist strives to maintain and improve their health, resulting in the early return of patients to society.
A physical therapist is expected to engage in not only rehabilitation activities in a hospital but also medical care and welfare activities in the local community. Furthermore, the important role of the physical therapist has been recognized in programs for athletic sports performance and for improving health-related QOL.

Our Physical Therapy (PT) Course is comprised of 114 credits, including 25 optional courses, as the minimum number of credits required to graduate. This is a unique curriculum because students can select their preferred optional courses to pursue a career as a physical therapist.
In our PT Course, students learn the mechanisms of the human body anatomically and physiologically, and gain an understanding of the concepts of mental and physical disorders in a medical study. Students then master the special knowledge and techniques of PT, studying the characteristics of diseases and injuries based on the mental and physical changes that occur in aging.

Biomechanics and Motor Control of Human Movement / Physical Therapy and Pathophysiology in Medical Disorders / Advanced Physical Therapy for Neurological Disorders / Advanced Physical Therapy for Orthopedic Diseases and Disabilities / Advanced Physical Therapy in Gerontology / Community Based Rehabilitation and Health Care Services

Sports Science Laboratory

In the Sports Science Laboratory, the physiological and pathophysiological function is analyzed in the movement of the human body simulating various situations during exercise and athletic sports. Students lean the mechanisms underlying fatigue and tightness in muscles and joints by hemodynamic and biochemical methods and also perform fieldwork focusing on athletes in sport competition events.

Cardiopulmonary Function Laboratory

Computerized the exercise equipment including treadmills and cycle ergometers are provided to undergraduate students and graduate students in the Cardio-pulmonary Function Laboratory. They evaluate exercise capacity using the exercise equipment and a ventilatory gas analyzer, and also assess non-invasively the cardiovascular responses, myocardial function and autonomic nerve activities during exercise with the use of an electrocardiogram, automatic manometer, echocardiogram and spectral analysis of heart rate variability.

Kinesiology Laboratory

The Kinesiology Laboratory aims to develop methods on assessment and treatment to minimize functional disability of physically disabled people. The laboratory provides sonographic apparatus to evaluate dynamic activities of the muscles and a real-time, three-dimensional motion analysis system to study pathological walking. In addition, we have developed a falling simulator to assess and assist olderly persons at a high risk for falling.

Laboratory of Muscular Morphology and Histology

This laboratory focuses on the disuse muscle atrophy and the effects of physiological stimulation (stretching, ultrasound and heat) to promote recovery of muscle atrophy. Students use an animal model of joint immobilization and conduct research for morphological change using histochemical and immunohistochemical techniques.

Pediatric Physical Therapy Laboratory

This laboratory has clinical practice opportunities in the pediatric intensive care unit and community based pediatric therapy. Undergraduate students and graduate students are also able to develop a specific exercise training program for children with physical and cardiopulmonary dysfunctions.