Amid the spread of the new coronavirus and the declaration of a state of emergency, athletes are increasingly avoiding training in groups, yet they still need to keep themselves in shape mentally and physically, as well as communicate with each other, during this time.
The J.League, which has halted team activities, is using internet meeting systems and communication apps to hold workout sessions and conferences, as are athletes and teams aiming to participate in the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.
Cerezo Osaka, a J.League top-division side, is conducting full-scale workouts at home using a videoconference app. The club started the program with its top team on April 3, and has had players as far down its system as the third-division squad (the under-23 team) take part.
On April 8, about 40 players participated.
Cerezo Osaka fitness coach Toni Gil Puerto suggested the idea and serves as the group leader. Players respond to Puerto's directions from the other side of the screen as he keeps a close watch.
The sessions start at 10 a.m. The participants begin with stretching and proceed to core training.
According to club staff members, the players spend from 40 minutes to an hour a day, with varied levels of intensity, to the program.
Each day players can be seen wiping away buckets of sweat.
"I never thought it was possible to get this great a workout at home," Cerezo forward Ken Tokura said on Twitter.
One player was found to be infected with coronavirus on April 1 while the club was on hiatus, and the team ordered all the players to shelter in place at home.
The program was started with the goal of keeping the players in shape, but it has reaped unexpected additional rewards. The players have their microphones on during the group training sessions, and use the function that allows them all to talk and joke about common topics.
The players are also said to have shared heartwarming moments, such as introducing their children or pets.
"I have the sense that this is good for them mentally as well," a staff member said.
The Yokohama F-Marinos also began group training sessions using a videoconference app on April 10. Forward Teruhito Nakagawa was among those working out at home.
"I can also do endurance training inside my house, and being able to do it with everyone is great," Nakagawa said.
Conditioning coach Akihiro Tanaka added: "We have to reel things in a little, but we want to spend time on some training that we can't devote a lot of time to during a normal season."
Shonan Bellmare, which halted operations on April 5, had its coach create training footage and uses the free app LINE to give all its players access to it.
Injured players in rehab can get their regimens, and the team's lower levels are also doing the same.
Events for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, which have been postponed for a year, are also exploring internet-based activities.
The Japan Boxing Federation is targeting athletes who have already earned preliminary spots on the Olympic team with teaching sessions via videoconference systems.
Ryota Murata, who won gold at the London Olympics, has been announced as the first speaker.
In field hockey, the fitness coach for Japan's national team has prepared individual weight training regimens -- including the amount of weight and number of reps -- for each of the 30 hopefuls for the squad and has sent them out via email.
"We're also considering sharing video breakdowns of matches so they get a grasp of what the coach is thinking," an official said.
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