JUNTENDO UNIVERSITY
SCIENCE COMMUNICATION LAB
Science Communication Activity
SMILE: A Program for Improving
Sports Product Quality
Introducing the SMILE Program
A Participatory Approach to Enhancing Satisfaction in Sports
What is the SMILE Program?
The SMILE Program is a science- and technology-based initiative combining ergonomics and sport management to enhance the service quality of sports events. It adopts a participatory approach grounded in the theory and methodology of Participatory Action-Oriented Training (PAOT). This unique program blends on-site fieldwork at event venues with group work in a workshop setting. During the fieldwork, participants attend sports events and capture photos of good practices in event operations—such as creative ideas and organizational efforts. In the group work sessions, these collected examples are shared and discussed to generate new ideas for further improvement, which are then presented as proposals. The real charm of Sports PAOT lies in discovering the “fine plays” of event staff—small but meaningful efforts that make the event better—and in the joy of co-creating new ideas that shape the future of sports events.
STEP１
Explanation of the Mission
Participants are given the Action Checklist and instructed on what kinds of good practices they should photo at professional sports event venues.
STEP２
Distribution of the Action Checklist
The checklist includes the five SMILE domains of good practices:(S) Safe, (M) Move, (I) Info, (L) Link, (E) Environment.
STEP３
Finding the Good Points of Sports Events
Participants enjoy watching professional sports games while taking photos of good practices related to their assigned SMILE domain at the event venue.
STEP４
Discussing the Best Three Good Practices
Participants form groups according to their assigned SMILE domains and share the photos. Together, they select the top three good practices.
STEP５
Exploring Further Improvement Ideas
Participants develop ideas to improve their group’s top three good practices. PAOT focuses on positive change—making good even better.
STEP６
Group Presentations & Feedback
Participants, in their groups, present their top three good practices in event management and ideas for further improvement to the sports club.
Download the Action Checklist
The Action Checklist is an essential toolkit for enhancing the outcomes of improvements at sports events. Before heading out for the fieldwork, download the Action Checklist to get an idea of good practices at sports events.
Topics about SMILE program
[Part 1] What Makes “Supporting Sports” So Fascinating?
[Part 2] Discovering the Fine Plays of the People Who Support Professional Sports !
[Part 3] Implementing the SMILE Program (Sports PAOT) at FC Imabari !
Juntendo University
Science Communication Laboratory
Yasuyuki Yamada ( yayamada[at]juntendo.ac.jp )