AT 2026
APFAT · JSAT · HKATA

International
Athletic Training
Conference 2026

“Translating Athletic Training Knowledge into Social Innovation”

Date
June 27, 2026
Location
Chiba, Japan
Host
Japanese Society
for Athletic Training
Register View Program Venue & Access

Registration is free of charge and for international attendees only.
Japanese participants: please register through the 15th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Athletic Training.

About the Conference

An Asia-Pacific
gathering

The first conference in this series was held in 2024 by the Asia-Pacific Federation of Athletic Trainers (APFAT) and the Hong Kong Athletic Trainers Association (HKATA). In 2025, an international conference followed, jointly organized by APFAT, the Republic of Korea Athletic Trainers Association (RKATA), and HKATA.

This 2026 edition is the third conference in the series, held jointly with the 15th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Athletic Training. As in previous years, the program brings together twelve invited speakers from Hong Kong, China, Korea, Taiwan, the United States, and Japan, presenting across four sessions.

Date
Sat, June 27, 2026
Time
9:00 – 15:50 JST
Doors open 8:30
Format
In-person only
English-language sessions
Capacity
130 seats
First-come, first-served
Fee
Free
For international participants
Language
English
No simultaneous interpretation
Hosts
APFAT · JSAT · HKATA
Speakers
12 invited
Across 4 sessions
Program at a Glance

Schedule

09:00 – 09:05
Opening Remarks
09:10 – 10:25
Session 1 — Clinical Management in Athletic Training: From Evidence-Based Rehabilitation to Integrative Medicine
10:25 – 10:35
Break
10:35 – 11:50
Session 2 — Certification & Professional Development of Athletic Training in Asia
11:50 – 13:00
Lunch
13:00 – 14:15
Session 3 — Injury Prevention: From Safety Rules to Biomechanical and Psycho-Cognitive Insights
14:15 – 14:25
Break
14:25 – 15:40
Session 4 — Advancing Athletic Training Practice: Education, Training, and Innovation
15:40 – 15:50
Closing Remarks
17:30 –
Networking Reception (at the venue)

Each talk: 20-minute presentation, with a collective Q&A at the end of each session.

Sessions & Speakers

The Program

Session 109:10 – 10:25
Clinical Management in Athletic Training — From Evidence-Based Rehabilitation to Integrative Medicine
Chairs: Kohei Kishimoto · Yume Mashiki
1
Dr. Chun-En Aurea KuoAcupuncture in Treating Sports Injuries of Hand, Wrist, and Elbow
2
Ms. Lin Tzu-YinThe Application of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Athletic Training Clinical Practice
3
Mr. Edmond ChiuRecent Advances in Concussion Rehabilitation and Management: Insights from Meta-Analyses and Emerging Evidence
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to:
  • Describe current evidence for the rehabilitation and management of sport-related concussion, including findings from recent meta-analyses.
  • Explain how acupuncture may be applied as an adjunctive approach in managing sports injuries of the hand, wrist, and elbow.
  • Discuss the role of Traditional Chinese Medicine and its integration within evidence-based athletic training clinical practice.
  • Appraise the opportunities and limitations of integrative-medicine approaches when incorporating them into an individualized rehabilitation plan.
Session 210:35 – 11:50
Certification & Professional Development of Athletic Training in Asia
Chairs: Hideyuki Izumi · Sentaro Koshida
1
Prof. Sanghoon KimAthletic Trainers in Korea: RKATA and the Korean Athletic Training Certification System
2
Prof. Jay Hao-Chieh LeeThe Development of Athletic Training & Therapy in China
3
Ms. Cara WongOccupational Therapist and Athletic Trainer: Different Roles, Shared Goal in Athlete Recovery
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to:
  • Compare athletic training certification systems and professional-development pathways across Korea, China, and Hong Kong.
  • Describe the role of national associations (e.g., RKATA) in advancing the professionalization and education of athletic trainers.
  • Explain how interprofessional collaboration between athletic trainers and occupational therapists supports athlete recovery toward a shared clinical goal.
  • Identify common challenges and opportunities for developing the athletic training profession across the Asia-Pacific region.
Session 313:00 – 14:15
Injury Prevention — From Safety Rules to Biomechanical and Psycho-Cognitive Insights
Chairs: Junji Shinohara · Masafumi Terada
1
Ms. Shu-Hua DaiIntegration of Sports Injury Prevention Strategies into World Taekwondo Competition Rules
2
Dr. Naoko A. GiblinInjury Prevention Intervention, Gait Retraining & Running Biomechanics
3
Prof. Issei OgasawaraUnderstanding Psycho-Cognitive and Biomechanical Factors for the Prevention of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to:
  • Describe how sport-specific competition rules (e.g., World Taekwondo) can serve as a framework for integrating injury-prevention strategies.
  • Explain the application of gait retraining and running-biomechanics principles within injury-prevention interventions.
  • Discuss the psycho-cognitive and biomechanical factors contributing to anterior cruciate ligament injury and their implications for prevention.
  • Apply biomechanical and psycho-cognitive insights to the design of evidence-based injury-prevention programs.
Session 414:25 – 15:40
Advancing Athletic Training Practice — Education, Training, and Innovation
Chairs: Sonoko Mashimo · Hinako Nagayama
1
Dr. Sue NakaniidaClinical Education in Athletic Training Under the Preceptor Model: A Japan–U.S. Comparison with a Focus on International Clinical Education
2
Prof. Hyung-pil JunHidden Considerations for Effective Training
3
Dr. Naghmeh GheidiThe Biomechanics of Human Movement: From Sports Injury Prevention to Neurorehabilitation and Exoskeleton Technology
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to:
  • Compare clinical-education and preceptor models in athletic training between Japan and the United States, including considerations for international clinical education.
  • Identify often-overlooked factors that influence the effectiveness of athletic training and conditioning.
  • Describe emerging applications of exoskeleton and assistive technologies across the continuum from sports-injury prevention to neurorehabilitation.
  • Evaluate how innovations in education, training, and technology can advance athletic training as a socially impactful profession.
Downloads

Documents

The program, the speakers' presentation slides, and a Japanese-language abstract booklet will be posted here when available. They may be released separately, at different times.

PDF

Program

Full schedule & session details

Coming soon
PDF

Handout — English Sessions

Speaker presentation slides (English)

Coming soon
PDF

Handout — 日本語抄録

国際セッション講演の日本語抄録 (Japanese abstracts)

Coming soon
Venue & Access

Makuhari Messe

International Conference Hall

Makuhari Messe International Conference Hall, Room 101 — Kaihin-Makuhari, Chiba, Japan. Approximately 40 minutes by train from central Tokyo, and 60–80 minutes from Narita International Airport.

From Tokyo Stn.JR Keiyō Line to Kaihin-Makuhari Station (approx. 40 min)
From NaritaLimousine bus or train to Kaihin-Makuhari (approx. 60–80 min)
From HanedaLimousine bus or train to Kaihin-Makuhari (approx. 40–60 min)
From StationApproximately 5 minutes on foot to the venue