Conclusion10 Challenges in the Medical Support Systems for Student-Athletes in the U.S. and Japan Additionally, outdated “tough it out” mentalities still exist in some Japanese sports environments. Athletes are sometimes told not to rest for “just a little discomfort” or to “push through with spirit.” The strict senior-junior hierarchy in athletic clubs can make it difficult for younger athletes to speak up about injuries, leading to situations where they worsen their condition by playing through pain. In these cases, mental pressure and a sense of duty are often prioritized over physical well-being. In Japan, ambiguous values like “self-discipline” and “mental strength” often take precedence. This can lead athletes to underestimate their own conditions or hesitate to seek help. Ultimately, sports medicine is not just about systems, it is also a reflection of how society listens to and values athletes’ voices. For Japan to enhance both international competitiveness and athlete safety, not only should facilities and systems be improved, but there also needs to be a cultural shift in how athlete health is approached and respected. When I was injured during a tennis match in the U.S. and taken by ambulance, the first thing that came to mind was not my injury, but “How much is this going to cost?” I still vividly remember feeling more scared of the medical bill than the injury itself. Indeed, in the U.S., surgery, diagnostic imaging, and rehab can be extremely expensive, and it is often unclear what insurance will cover. Even if athletes receive scholarships for tuition, medical expenses remain a heavy burden. Another issue I personally felt was uncertainty about medication. In the U.S., it is common to receive the same dosage regardless of body size, and I found the medication sometimes too strong for me. After taking painkillers, I often felt sluggish or lost focus, which made me wonder whether the dosage was appropriate. This kind of standardized approach can overlook individual differences in physical sensitivity. Meanwhile, in Japan, medical intervention is not always readily available within the university setting. On days when no AT is present, athletes must find and visit external clinics themselves. Many schools do not have even basic recovery facilities like ice baths or electric therapy devices. The differences in medical support systems for college sports in the U.S. and Japan reveal fundamental cultural contrasts in how athletes are viewed and treated. In the U.S., sports are seen as investments, and ATs are formallyrecognized as healthcare professionals who strategicallycontribute to performance maintenance. In Japan, clubsports are part of moral and educational development, andmedical support remains supplementary and limited.A lingering emphasis on endurance and spirit sometimesencourages athletes to ignore physical warning signs.One particularly notable difference is the way athletes’physical conditions are perceived. In the U.S., injuries anddiscomfort are immediately addressed with expert care andmanaged through data and structured processes.
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