日本体力医学会若手の会発足：若手の活躍に向けた理念と展望

抄録

The sustainable development of physical fitness and sports medicine requires not only the training of the next generation of researchers but also institutional frameworks that support their career development. In Japan, however, in the early stages of their careers, researchers have long lacked a formal network within the Japanese Society of Physical Fitness and Sports Medicine (JSPFSM), and opportunities for mentorship, participation in society governance, and cross-institutional collaboration have often depended on individual initiative. This paper describes the background, founding principles, first-year activities, and future directions of the Early-Career Network of the JSPFSM (Wakate-no-Kai), formally established in February 2025. Over approximately one year discussion and planning, a geographically and professionally diverse founding steering committee confirmed three organizational pillars: (1) research advancement, (2) career support, and (3) facilitation of networking. At the 79^th JSPFSM Annual Meeting (Shiga, September 2025), the committee held a kick-off symposium, including a social gathering attended by more than 100 participants, providing an opportunity for dialogue across subspecialties. First-year achievements of the Early-Career Network include the establishment of an institutional framework, formation of a diverse steering committee, and articulation of a shared mission. The Network has also determined several future goals, including sustaining post-event connections, linking the organization’s vision to concrete academic outcomes, and ensuring long-term continuity. Here we propose that the JSPFSM Early-Career Network should function not merely as a support forum but also as an interdisciplinary platform that connects subspecialties, fosters collaboration, and supports the development of next-generation leaders in the field.