Masato Kawabata

Profile Information

Affiliation: Professor (PhD), College of Sport and Wellness, Rikkyo University

Degree: Bachelor of Health and Physical Education(Mar, 1994, University of Tsukuba)
Master of Health and Sport Sciences(Mar, 1997, University of Tsukuba)
Ph.D. (Human Movement Studies)(Mar, 2008, University of Queensland, Australia)

Contact information: masato.krikkyo.ac.jp
Researcher number: 20293102
ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1927-1359
J-GLOBAL ID: 202301007987166684
Researcher ID: J-5213-2014
researchmap Member ID: R000052215

External link: https://humanthrivinglab.com/

I have been interested in how physical activity affects physical and psychological well-being and human development. In the quest to find answers to that question, I have conducted extensive research on the optimal experience in physical activity settings. I have used physical activity as a vehicle for fostering the principles of personal growth. I am also interested in examining the effect of exercise or sport on cognitive functioning.

Research Interests

Research Areas

Research History

Apr, 2023 - Present

Professor, College of Sport and Wellness Department of Sport and Wellness, Rikkyo University
Apr, 2023 - Present

Professor, Graduate School of Sport and Wellness Master's Program in Sport and Wellness, Rikkyo University
Apr, 2023 - Present

Professor, Graduate School of Sport and Wellness Doctoral Program in Sport and Wellness, Rikkyo University
Mar, 2023 - Present

Honorary Associate Professor, School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, University of Queensland
Sep, 2022 - Mar, 2023

Associate Professor (Tenured), Nanyang Technological University
Mar, 2017 - Feb, 2023

Honorary Senior Research Fellow, School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, University of Queensland
Jul, 2012 - Aug, 2022

National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University
Mar, 2014 - Feb, 2017

Honorary Research Fellow, School of Human Movement Studies, University of Queensland
Mar, 2011 - Feb, 2014

Adjunct Lecturer, School of Human Movement Studies, University of Queensland
Oct, 2011 - Jun, 2012

Research Fellow, Institute for Sport Research, Nanyang Technological University
Apr, 2011 - Sep, 2011

Part-Time Lecturer, School of Literature, Tsurumi University
Apr, 2011 - Sep, 2011

Part-Time Lecturer, Faculty of Letters and Education, Ochanomizu University
Apr, 2010 - Sep, 2011

Part-Time Lecturer, Faculty of Integrated Arts and Social Sciences, Japan Women's University
Apr, 2010 - Sep, 2011

Part-Time Lecturer, School of Science and Technology, Meiji University
Apr, 2010 - Mar, 2011

Part-Time Lecturer, School of Engineering, Tokyo Denki University
Sep, 2009 - Mar, 2010

Lecturer and Research Manager, Republic Polytechnic
Apr, 2009 - Aug, 2009

Part-Time Lecturer, College of Economics, Nihon University
Apr, 2009 - Aug, 2009

Part-Time Lecturer, School of Engineering, Tokyo Denki University
Apr, 2009 - Aug, 2009

Part-Time Lecturer, School of Science and Technology, Meiji University
Jul, 2008 - Nov, 2008

Research Assistant; Teaching Assistant, School of Human Movement Studies, University of Queensland

Education

Jul, 2003 - Mar, 2008

School of Human Movement Studies, University of Queensland
Apr, 1994 - Mar, 1997

Master's Program in Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba
Apr, 1990 - Mar, 1994

School of Health and Physical Education, University of Tsukuba

Committee Memberships

Jul, 2020 - Present

Co-Editor, Journal of Happiness Studies,
Oct, 2013 - Present

Editorial Board Member, The Sport Psychologist,

Awards

Dec, 2022

The 10-Years Long Service Award, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Kawabata, M
Feb, 2022

The NIE Excellence in Research Award 2021, National Institute of Education, Singapore
Dec, 2008

HMS Excellent Teaching Award for 2008, School of Human Movement Studies, University of Queensland, Australia
Aug, 2008

Excellent Presentation Award, Pathways Japan
Oct, 2007

HMS Research Student Travel Award, School of Human Movement Studies, University of Queensland, Australia

Papers

Positive Youth Development (PYD) in the Malaysian Youth Sport Context: Examining the Psychometric Properties of the PYD-VSF

Noorazam, M., Rahman, Z. A., Ismail, H., Anizu, Hasan, H., Mallett, C. J., Kawabata, M., Ryn, S.

Dec, 2025 Peer-reviewed
Effects of Square Stepping Exercise on cognitive, physical, psychological, and group functions in sedentary older adults: A center-based hybrid trial.

Kawabata, M, Gan, S. R, Chen, S. H. A

BMC Geriatrics, Apr, 2024 Peer-reviewedLead authorCorresponding author
Weekday breakfast habits and mood at the start of the school morning

Masato Kawabata, Stephen Francis Burns, Hui-Cheng Choo, Kerry Lee

Nutrition and Health, Apr, 2024 Peer-reviewedLead authorCorresponding author
Timing of Caffeine Ingestion Does Not Improve Three-Point Shooting Accuracy in College Basketball Players

Zhi Sen Tan, Rachelle Yahn Yee Sim, Masato Kawabata, Dorrain Yanwen Low, Yulan Wang, Stephen F. Burns

International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 2024 Peer-reviewed
Does time fly when you engage more? Effort intensity moderates the relationship between affect and time perception

Masato Kawabata, Nikos L. D. Chatzisarantis

Current Psychology, 42 20814-20823, Aug, 2023 Peer-reviewedLead authorCorresponding author
Developing Nutrition Knowledge and Attitude Measures for Athletes With the Knowledge–Attitude–Behavior Model

Cheryl Jia Hui Teo, Stephen Francis Burns, Masato Kawabata

Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 94(1) 110-117, Jan 2, 2023 Peer-reviewedLast authorCorresponding author
Students’ perceptions of fitness testing in physical education across primary, secondary, and pre-university school levels: a motivational profiles perspective

Bernadette Bree Ashley, Masato Kawabata

Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, 28(1) 76-93, Jan 2, 2023 Peer-reviewedCorresponding author
Short-Term Effects of Square Stepping Exercise on Cognitive and Social Functions in Sedentary Older Adults: A Home-Based Online Trial

Su Ren Gan, Kimmy Low, Tomohiro Okura, Masato Kawabata

ACPES Journal of Physical Education, Sport, and Health (AJPESH), 2(2) 70-77, Dec 15, 2022 Peer-reviewedInvitedLast authorCorresponding author
A chronological investigation of views on hosting the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Kawabata, M, Lin, Y.C, Leng, H.K

32-33, Dec, 2022 Peer-reviewedLead authorCorresponding author
Progressing the construct of enjoyment: conceptualizing enjoyment as a proactive process

Masato Kawabata, Clifford J. Mallett

Discover Psychology, 2(1) 2, Dec, 2022 Peer-reviewedLead authorCorresponding author
On the factorial validity and reliability of a Japanese version of the Sport Motivation Scale-II (Part 2)

Kawabata, M

Proceedings of the 49th Annual Conference of the Japanese Society of Sport Psychology, 48-49, Oct, 2022 Peer-reviewedLead authorCorresponding author
Perception of boredom in physical education lessons: What factors are associated with students’ boredom experiences?

Chiew Min Lye, Masato Kawabata

Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 41 710-719, Oct, 2022 Peer-reviewedLast authorCorresponding author
Information and Communication Technology as an enabler for implementing Nonlinear Pedagogy in Physical Education: Effects on students’ exploration and motivation

John Komar, Jia Yi Chow, Masato Kawabata, Corliss Zhi Yi Choo

Asian Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 2(1) 44-49, Jun, 2022 Peer-reviewed
Examining the Coach Motivation Questionnaire in Fitness Professionals (CMQ-FP): Factor Structure, Invariance, and Predictive Analysis

F. Rodrigues, R. Macedo, C. J. Mallett, M. Kawabata, D. Monteiro

Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 1-12, Apr 3, 2022 Peer-reviewed
Comparison of In Vivo Intradiscal Pressure between Sitting and Standing in Human Lumbar Spine: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Jia-Qi Li, Wai-Hang Kwong, Yuk-Lam Chan, Masato Kawabata

Life, 12(3) 457-457, Mar 20, 2022 Peer-reviewed
A Systematic Review of the Effects of Caffeine on Basketball Performance Outcomes

Zhi Sen Tan, Alexiaa Sim, Masato Kawabata, Stephen Burns

Biology, 11(3) 444-444, Dec 23, 2021 Peer-reviewed
Physical activity levels in physical education lessons at Singapore primary school

Nur Syahida Binte Jamaluddin, Masato Kawabata

ACPES Journal of Physical Education, Sport, and Health (AJPESH), 1(2) 118-123, Dec 10, 2021 Peer-reviewedInvitedLast authorCorresponding author
Acute effects of Square Stepping Exercise on cognitive and social functions in sedentary young adults: a home-based online trial

Masato Kawabata, Su Ren Gan, Gint Goh, Siti Aisha Binte Omar, Ivan T. F. Oh, Wan Qi Wee, Tomohiro Okura

BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 13 82, Dec, 2021 Peer-reviewedLead authorCorresponding author
Exploring the Dimensions of Movement-Specific Reinvestment From Personal Characteristics Perspectives

Masato Kawabata, Kuniyasu Imanaka

Frontiers in Psychology, 12 716945, Sep 24, 2021 Peer-reviewedLead authorCorresponding author
Understanding the movement-specific reinvestment dimensions from personal characteristics perspectives

Masato Kawabata

International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 19 S247-S248, Sep, 2021 Peer-reviewedLead authorCorresponding author

Misc.

Let’s disseminate research findings internationally and contribute to the world outside Japan! On the joys and significance of performing internationally

Kawabata, M, Araki, K, Iwasaki, S, Iwatsuki, T

Proceedings of the 50th Annual Conference of the Japanese Society of Sport Psychology, 8-9, Sep, 2023 Peer-reviewedLead author
The presence of Japanese researchers in international conferences and journals of sports and exercise psychology

Kawabata, M, Araki, K, Yamazaki, F

The 49th Annual Conference of the Japanese Society of Sport Psychology, Niigata, Japan, 18, Oct, 2022 Lead authorCorresponding author
Obituary Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

The Editors

23 1, 2022 Invited
Obituary Ed Diener

The Editors

2021 Invited
Effects of school-based intervention programs in promoting moderate to vigorous physical activity during leisure time.

Masato Kawabata, Nikos L. D. Chatzisarantis

Oct, 2020 Lead authorCorresponding author
Active Aging Lifestyle with Healthy Cognition: An ExCITE solution

Masato Kawabata

INNOVATION, 16 4-8, 2018 InvitedLast authorCorresponding author
Breakfast and exercise influence academic performance in adolescents

Stephen F. Burns, Masato Kawabata, Kerry Lee

Jun, 2017
The 4th Lau Teng Chuang Physical Education and Sport Science Symposium

Masato Kawabata

NIE News, 20, Sep, 2016 InvitedLead authorCorresponding author
National Institute of Education, Singapore

Kawabata, M

66(8) 617-619, Aug, 2016 InvitedLead authorCorresponding author
Flow experiences during the intensive courses in skiing and snowboarding

Chiashi, K., Kawada, Y., Kawabata, M., Harimoto, F

20 57-68, Mar, 2001
A report on poster presentations

Kawabata, M

The Newsletter for the Psychology Division of the Japan Society of Physical Education, Health and Sport Science, 12, Oct, 2000 InvitedLead authorCorresponding author
On flow experience in track and field athletes: Application of the Flow State Scale

Harimoto, F, Kawabata, M

Research Activities: Humanities and Social Sciences, 22(2) 47-53, Oct, 2000 Last author
Flow experience in physical education classes: Application of the Flow State Scale

Kawabata, M, Harimoto, F

Research Activities: Humanities and Social Sciences, 22(2) 19-27, Oct, 2000 Lead authorCorresponding author
Evaluation of the Japanese version of the Flow State Scale: Using confirmatory factor analyses

Kawabata, M, Harimoto, F

Proceedings of the 27th annual meeting of the Japanese Society of Sport Psychology, 8-9, Sep, 2000 Lead authorCorresponding author
Flow experiences during the intensive snowboarding courses

Chiashi, K, Kawada, Y, Kawabata, M, Harimoto, F

Proceedings of the 51th annual meeting of the Japan Society of Physical Education, Health and Sport Science, 418, Aug, 2000
Evaluation of the Japanese version of the Flow State Scale

Kawabata, M.,, Harimoto, F.

Proceedings of the 51st annual meeting of the Japan Society of Physical Education, Health and Sport Science, 183, Aug, 2000 Lead authorCorresponding author
A report on Japan Society of Ski Science 10th conference.

Kawabata, M

Schi Heil, Japan Society of Ski Science Newsletter, 34 3, May, 2000 InvitedLead authorCorresponding author
What is enjoyment in snow sport?

Kawabata, M

Schi Heil, Japan Society of Ski Science Newsletter, 34 5, May, 2000 InvitedLead authorCorresponding author
Exercise intensities in health and physical education lessons A

Kakemizu, T, Tanaka, N, Kawabata, M

22(2) 65-71, 2000
A study on associations between university student's exercise participation and physical education lessons

Tanaka, N, Kakemizu, T, Kawabata, M

Research Activities: Humanities and Social Sciences, 22(2) 39-46, 2000

Books and Other Publications

Routledge international handbook of sport psychology

Schinke, Robert J., McGannon, Kerry R., Smith, Brett (Brett M.)

Routledge, Feb 8, 2016 (ISBN: 113802242X, 9781138022423) Peer-reviewed
Encyclopedia of sport and exercise psychology

Eklund, Robert C. (Robert Charles), Tenenbaum, Gershon

SAGE Reference, 2014 (ISBN: 9781452203836) Peer-reviewed
Routledge companion to sport and exercise psychology : global perspectives and fundamental concepts

Papaioannou, Athanasios G., Hackfort, Dieter (Role: Contributor, Adherence to physical activity.)

Routledge, 2014 (ISBN: 9781848721289) Peer-reviewed
Flow in sports

(Role: Joint translator) (Original Author(s): Jackson, S.A, Csikszentmihalyi, M)

Sep, 2005 (ISBN: 9784790711407)
Outdoor education: The theory and practice

Kyorin-shoin, Oct 4, 2001 (ISBN: 4764415658)

Presentations

Lifestyle behaviors associated with learning motivation in Japanese primary school students.

Kawabata, M., Shinohara, T., Masano, Y.

The 9th IPPA World Congress on Positive Psychology, Jul 3, 2025
Facilitating flow experience in group activities: From a qualitative perspective

Kawabata, M.

Invited Lecture at College of Business, National Taipei University, Taiwan, Mar 27, 2025 Invited
Sport development strategies in Japan

Kawabata, M.

Invited Lecture at College of Business, National Taipei University, Taiwan, Mar 26, 2025 Invited
Conceptualizing enjoyment as a proactive process

Invited Lecture at College of Business, National Taipei University, Taiwan, Mar 25, 2025 Invited
Facilitating flow experience in group activities

Invited Lecture at College of Business, National Taipei University, Taiwan, Mar 24, 2025 Invited
通常練習期のアスリートにおける腸内細菌叢への影響要因の検討

谷村祐子, 清水和弘, 玉井伸典, 下山寛之, 川端雅人, 木下訓光

第78回日本体力医学会大会
Enjoy challenges to break through the boundary for thriving

The AASP 2024 Asian-Pacific Regional Conference, Aug 3, 2024 Invited
Usefulness of monitoring athletes’ subjective responses across the season: A case of high-profile EKIDEN team

Kawabata, M, Kinoshita, N, Tokita, M

The European Congress of Sport and Exercise Psychology (FEPSAC) 2024, Jul 19, 2024
Factors associated with experiencing flow in fulfilling and enjoyable situations in Japanese undergraduates

Kawabata, M, Asakawa, K

The 11th European Congress on Positive Psychology, Jul 13, 2024
Well-being and social and emotional learning: A perspective from sport psychology

Kawabata, M

The 14th Annual Meeting of the Japan Research Association on Social-Emotional Learning, Mar 3, 2024 Invited
200

How can parents and coaches support children in enjoying sports?

Kawabata, M.

Wako Sport Festival, Oct 9, 2023 Invited
Let’s disseminate research findings internationally and contribute to the world outside Japan! On the joys and significance of being internationally active

Kawabata, M, Araki, K, Iwasaki, S, Iwatsuki, T

The 50th Annual Conference of the Japanese Society of Sport Psychology, Sep 29, 2023
A theory-based physical activity intervention program at school: Necessity for controlling methodological effects of wearable devices to examine the intervention effect

Kawabata, M.

The 19th Annual International Conference on Sport & Exercise Science, Jul 24, 2023
University student’s motivational profile in sports: Variable- and person-centered approaches to sport motivation regulations

Kawabata, M

The 8th International Self-Determination Theory Conference, Jun 1, 2023
What is enjoyment? Conceptualizing enjoyment as a proactive process from hedonic and eudaimonic views

Kawabata, M

The Asia-Singapore Conference on Sport Science 2022, Singapore, Dec, 2022 Invited
A chronological investigation of views on hosting the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Kawabata, M, Lin, Y.C, Leng, H.K

The Asia-Singapore Conference on Sport Science 2022, Dec, 2022
On the factorial validity and reliability of a Japanese version of the Sport Motivation Scale-II (Part 2).

Kawabata, M

The 49th Annual Congress of the Japanese Society of Sport Psychology, Niigata, Japan, Oct, 2022
The presence of Japanese researchers in international conferences and journals of sports and exercise psychology

Kawabata, M, Araki, K, Yamazaki, F

The 49th Annual Conference of the Japanese Society of Sport Psychology, Niigata, Japan, Oct, 2022
Conceptualizing enjoyment as a proactive process: from hedonic and eudaimonic views

Kawabata, M

The Sports Coaching Group at the University of Queensland, Australia, Sep, 2022 Invited
Understanding the movement-specific reinvestment dimensions from personal characteristics perspectives

Kawabata, M

The 15th International Society of Sport Psychology World Congress, Taipei, Taiwan, Oct, 2021

Professional Memberships

2022 - Present

International Society of Sport Psychology
2018 - Present

Association for Psychological Science
2008 - Present

International Positive Psychology Association
2005 - Present

Association for Applied Sport Psychology
1997 - Present

Ski Association of Japan
1997 - Present

Japanese Society of Sport Psychology
1999 - 2008

Japan Society of Ski Sciences
1998 - 2008

Japan Outdoor Education Society
1996 - 2008

Japan Society of Physical Education, Health and Sport Sciences

Research Projects

Sport Motivation of Athletes: A Comparison of Motivational Profiles Between Japanese and Non-Japanese From A Self-Determination Perspective

Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up, Start-Up Grant, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Aug, 2023 - Mar, 2025

Masato Kawabata
The AASP Regional Conference Grant

The Association of Applied Sport Psychology, Sep, 2023 - Aug, 2024

Masato KAWABATA, Kaori Araki, Susumu Iwasaki
Do outcome success, gender and motivation influence fundamental movement skills (FMS) assessment?

OER Research Fund, Office of Education, Singapore, Jan, 2022 - Jan, 2024

Stephen Burns, Masato KAWABATA, John Komar, Kong Pui Wah
Manipulating the timing of low-dose caffeine to improve 3-point shooting accuracy in basketball players: a pilot study

OER Planning Grant, Office of Education, Singapore, Apr, 2021 - Jun, 2023

Stephen Burns, Masato KAWABATA, Dorrain Yanwen Low, Yulan Wang
Assessing causality of the association between exercise and neurocognitive gains’

Ministry of Education Tier 2 Grant, Ministry of Education, Singapore, Jan, 2020 - Apr, 2023

Masato KAWABATA, Annabel Chen, Ryo Kitada
Exploring sport center users’ experience and consumer retention with flow theory

NIE Academic Research Fund, National Institute of Education, Singapore, Sep, 2020 - Sep, 2021

Yen-Chun Lin, Masato KAWABATA, Ho Keat Leng
Effects of school-based intervention programs in promoting moderate to vigorous physical activity during leisure- time’

OER Research Fund, Office of Education Research, Singapore, Jan, 2016 - May, 2021

Masato KAWABATA, Nikos Chatzisarantis
Exploring the right spot: A constraints-led approach to optimize exploratory learning’

OER Start-Up Grant, Office of Education Research, Singapore, Apr, 2019 - Dec, 2020

John Komar, Jia Yi Chow, Masato KAWABATA
Active aging lifestyle with healthy cognition: A pilot study for an ExCITE solution

ARISE Inaugural Grant, Ageing Research Institute for Society and Education (ARISE), NTU, Singapore, Aug, 2017 - Jan, 2020

Masato KAWABATA, Annabel Chen
Effect of sports massage on post-exercise muscle viscoelastic properties

Singapore Sports Science & Technology Research Grant, Singapore Sports Institute, Dec, 2014 - Nov, 2016

Kong Pui Wah, Masato KAWABATA, Stephen Burns, Cai Congcong
Effect of breakfast and exercise on academic and cognitive performance in Junior College students’

OER Research Fund, Office of Education Research, Singapore, Jan, 2014 - Oct, 2016

Stephen Burns, Masato KAWABATA, Kerry Lee
Is losing track of time a gate to well-being?: Examining psychometric properties of psychological time as an index of engagement

NIE Academic Research Fund, National Institution of Education, Singapore, Apr, 2013 - Jan, 2016

Masato KAWABATA, Nikos Chatzisarantis
Development of the Chinese version of the Sport Motivation Scale-II

The Hong Kong Institute of Education Grant, The Hong Kong Institute of Education, Dec, 2014 - Dec, 2015

Chunxiao LI, Masato KAWABATA
Effect of external counterpulsation in exercising middle aged population

RenewGPL, Mar, 2014 - Jan, 2015

Govindasamy Balasekaran, Masato Kawabata, Dianna Thor, Jason McLaren, Anthony Bert
Developmental validation of an index of engagement: From a psycho- physiological perspective

OER Start-Up Grant, Office of Education Research, Singapore, Nov, 2012 - Sep, 2014

Masato KAWABATA
UQ Graduate School Research Travel Grant

University of Queensland, Australia, Sep, 2006 - Jan, 2007

Masato KAWABATA
Queensland Program for Japanese Language Education (2004) Postgraduate Grant Scheme

Nippon Foundation, Jun, 2004 - Dec, 2004

Masato KAWABATA

Social Activities

Journal of Happiness Studies, Co-Editor

Chief editor

Jul, 2020 - Present
The Sport Psychologist, Editorial Board Member

Edit

Oct, 2013 - Present
Committee member for Reviewing the Process to Shift Co-Curricula Activities from School to Community in Wako City

Commentator, Consultant

Mar 25, 2024 - Mar 31, 2026
Mental Coach for the Match Officials of the Japan Rugby League One

Lecturer

Japan Rugby Football Union, Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025