Carl De Crée is an educator, clinician and researcher known for his work in reproductive endocrinology, exercise physiology and sports medicine. His additional education in Oriental Philology and History (double major: Chinese/Japanese Studies) reflects his lifelong commitment to the liberal arts. As Senior Full Professor Ordinarius ad personam (non-GUZAP) in Exercise Science & Sports Medicine, he previously lectured and conducted research as a tenured Professor and as a Senior Research Professor or visiting professor at several institutions worldwide across Europe, Asia and the United States. He is committed to contributing to the education of young people wanting to expand their horizons. His objective has been to assist them in capturing opportunities to learn, to overcome failure, to serve, and to lead. In this way he has been committed to help people unlock their potential and build out their skills to create their own bright futures. This goal he has been pursuing as an educator, scientist, health provider, and sports coach.
De Crée’s major medical research focus has been on exercise-related menstrual cycle problems in female athletes. Currently, he and his colleagues are seeking to understand the changes that take place in estrogen metabolism, in particularly C2- and C4-substituted estrogens (catecholestrogens), in response to exercise in the female. To do so, he uses techniques such as immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization, mostly in a multi-center research setting. This work has implications for our understanding of menstrual problems, and the prevention of osteoporosis and breast cancer. His work has been published in journals such as The Lancet, Sterility & Fertility, the Journal of Applied Physiology, the Journal of Endocrinology & Metabolism, and Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.
Concomitantly with his work in medicine Carl De Crée has remained an active Japanese Studies scholar and historian. He is interested in the cultural history of medieval and early-modern Japan, in Neo-Confucian thought, and in the history of Japanese budō and bushidō, and is particularly known for his scholarly work and expertise in all aspects of jūdō, especially advanced kata. His current research deals with Kitō-ryū jūjutsu yoroi kumi-uchi-no-kata and Kōdōkan jūdō koshiki-no-kata and involves the translation and analysis of original 16th, 17th, and 18th century handwritten Japanese manuscripts.
Carl De Crée is a former international jūdō and track & field athlete (100- & 200-meter sprint). He holds the high jūdō rank of black-belt 8th dan, and remains active as the only European Judo Union - Level 6 Elite coach in the Benelux, and as an A-Certified International Jūdō Coach and International Referee. He was the recipient of the 2018 City of Mechelen Sports Merit Award for having rendered outstanding meritorious services in sport in an unusually broad role as an athlete, top coach, referee, sports scientist, Japanologist, and professor of exercise physiology, reproductive endocrinology, and sports medicine.