Three winners of the Oral Presentation of the ECSS Young Investigators Award (ECSS YIA) at ECSS Rimini 2025 – Alexander Zero, Giulia Sesa and Michele Zanini – participated in the 80th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Physical Fitness and Sports Medicine (JSPFSM) in Hirosaki, Japan, as part of the scientific exchange between ECSS and JSPFSM.
The exchange gives young researchers opportunities to present their work internationally, share ideas with fellow scientists, and build professional networks.
ECSS President Professor Janice L. Thompson and Head of the ECSS Scientific Board Professor Maria Francesca Piacentini were also invited to the Annual Meeting as keynote speakers, thus contributing to the scientific programme and engaging with researchers from Japan and other countries.
5 November 2026
Three Young Researchers, Different Scientific Perspectives
During the Exchange Symposium, the three ECSS YIA winners each took the stage to present their research.
Alexander Zero presented his research, ‘Electrically induced torque loss reduces maximal human motor unit firing rates’ and valued the opportunity, which exposed him to new ideas, methodologies and ways of thinking about his field of research that may not have been encountered within his own research field.
He said, “Being invited to participate in the international research exchange between the ECSS and JSPFSM provided me with a valuable opportunity to broaden my research network, develop new professional relationships and gain a greater appreciation for international research and collaboration”.
Reflecting on the exchange, Alexander Zero added, “I came away with a greater appreciation for the importance of maintaining an international research network and for how different academic environments can contribute to new perspectives, collaborations and approaches to scientific questions”.
Giulia Sesa presented her research on the ethical implications of excluding athletes with medical conditions from sport. Her work examined whether such restrictions should be considered protective measures or whether they risk becoming discriminatory.
Speaking about the experience, Giulia Sesa said: “It enabled me to disseminate my research internationally, receive valuable feedback from leading scholars, establish new professional connections, broaden my understanding of contemporary sport science research and strengthen my engagement with the international scientific community”.
Michele Zanini presented his research on ‘The effect of 90 and 120 min of running on the determinants of endurance running performance in well-trained male marathon runners’. He valued the opportunity to exchange scientific ideas, connect with international researchers and share experiences with fellow ECSS YIA winners.
He added, “Overall, the conference was a very rewarding experience, providing valuable scientific exchange, international networking and insight into the wider activities of ECSS.”
ECSS Leadership contributes to the Scientific Programme
As Invited Speakers, Prof Thompson addressed the role of ‘Mixed behavioural approaches in reducing the risks of obesity and type 2 diabetes’, while Prof Piacentini presented ‘How the ECSS Young Investigators Award Shapes the Next Generation of Sport Scientists’, offering insights into the experiences of previous award recipients and how their involvement with ECSS has continued throughout their careers.
For the three ECSS YIA winners, the opportunity to interact with both professors also provided a better understanding of the College’s work, its scientific community and the opportunities available to early-career researchers.
Buidling connections beyong the Conference
Beyond the formal sessions, the meeting offered opportunities to connect with researchers from Japan and other countries. The participation of the ECSS delegation highlights the continued value of the ECSS-JSPFSM partnership in fostering international collaboration and supporting young sport scientists.
ECSS sincerely thanks JSPFSM for welcoming its representatives and for its continued commitment to scientific exchange.
