The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, along with the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation, will subdivide the fitness certification grades from the existing three levels to six levels and apply them from June 2, 2025. (Photo = Pixabay)
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, together with the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation, will subdivide the fitness certification grades from the existing three levels to six levels, effective from June 2, 2025.
Currently, the ‘National Fitness 100’ certification centers operate at 75 locations nationwide, where participants undergo tests in strength, endurance, flexibility, etc., and receive a fitness certificate or participation certificate based on grades 1 to 3. However, due to high grade criteria, about 60% of participants have been receiving an ‘ungraded’ result, making accurate fitness evaluations challenging.
The revised criteria aim to reduce the ‘ungraded’ results and allow for exercise prescriptions that cater to a variety of fitness levels by dividing grades into six levels. For adolescents and adults, the requirement used to be that all major fitness categories needed to be in the top 70% to receive a grade, but now a grade will be awarded if one of either cardiorespiratory endurance or strength is in the top 70%. Similarly, seniors will also receive grades if they meet the criteria in at least one major category.
The criteria for Body Mass Index (BMI) and body fat percentage align with the standards set by the Korean Society for the Study of Obesity, and percentile markings have been simplified for public understanding, such as ‘top 30%’. The identification check procedure during fitness measurement has been made mandatory.
Through this revision, it is anticipated that more individuals will be able to accurately assess their fitness levels and receive proper exercise guidance. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism expects the revised grade criteria to enhance the public’s fitness and health, and plans to further expand certification centers and enhance programs in the future.
The policy manager from the Ministry commented, “The segmentation of fitness grades will enable precise exercise prescriptions, leading to expected improvements in public health,” and added, “We will push for the expansion of fitness certification centers and the enhancement of measurement and prescription systems.”