A physical therapist who works as a professional baseball trainer for Chiba Lotte Marines gives a lecture to students

Mr. Ito works as a trainer at Chiba Lotte

students listening to a lecture

Chiba Norio Ito, who works as a trainer for the Lotte Marines, visited the Togane campus on January 29 at Chiba Faculty of Social Work Studies Department of Physical Therapy to give a lecture to about 30 students studying to become physical therapists. The students listened with great interest.

Mr. Ito continued to work as a physical therapist at a hospital from 2016 to 2022, but in order to realize his dream of working in professional baseball, the top class in Japanese sports, he accepted an open recruitment offer from Chiba Lotte Marines. I tried it. It is not easy to be hired by a professional baseball team; players are selected from among many applicants through several rounds of interviews and practical exams. When Mr. Ito took on the challenge of recruiting, over 150 people applied for just one position, and he was hired amidst fierce competition. Since working at a hospital, he has gained experience by working as a volunteer trainer for high school baseball and adult sports teams on his days off. His experience and NSCA-CSCS (Nationally Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist) qualifications have been highly evaluated, and he has been active with Chiba Lotte Marines since 2023.

Mr. Ito said, ``Top athletes have keen subjective senses and excellent self-management skills.In order to meet the wishes of these athletes, trainers must also be professionals.'' We will actually teach you about the schedule from last season's camp-in in February to the climax series in October, and how physical therapists move at the professional baseball field, using a game day as an example. I received it. During that schedule, we talked about the symptoms that actually occurred in famous players last season, from onset to rehabilitation and recovery.
 

Mr. Ito and students performing practical skills

Pair students to teach practical skills

In the second half, we listened to Mr. Ito's lecture in a practical format while moving our bodies. The students tried to absorb the techniques and points while watching Mr. Ito's movements, and they practiced the skills with serious faces.

During the Q&A session at the end, one student asked, ``If Mr. Ito were to hire a trainer, what kind of person would you hire?'' "It's even better if you have experience in rehabilitation. Age doesn't matter, so I want you to take on the challenge," he said, encouraging the students. Even after the lecture, students lined up to ask questions about working in professional baseball, indicating a high level of interest.