Issues and Alternatives for the Improvement of the Exercise Specialist Qualification System

Abstract

PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to discuss several issues that need to be improved and changed in the Exercise Specialist Qualification System focusing on eligibility of the exercise specialist, exams, including written, oral, and practical test, and administration of training courses. MAIN BODY The exercise specialist should have a bachelor’s degree related to physical education that includes required courses. However, the new changes are that the number of required courses will be increased and the department certification system in physical education will be developed. The goal for the eligibility into this Exercise Specialist Qualification System will be to only allow only individuals who have physical education degrees or related. It is an alternative plan against the 2015 Exercise Specialist Qualification System, which allowed all individuals who had a bachelor’s degree to be candidates regardless of their undergraduate major. The written test will reduce its subjects from eight to six. Catering to common standards, the subjects “Evaluation of Health and Fitness,” “Exercise Prescription,” and “Exercise Testing” will be combined; and “Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries” will become “Exercise Injury.” It should be noted that the written test excluded “Sport Psychology” and that “Exercise Nutrition” was included in “Exercise Physiology.” Also, “Exercise Training” was included as a new written test subject. It may be difficult to forecast these numbers due to differences in positions held by certified individuals, including ministry of education, exercise specialist, faculty, and students. The exercise specialist certification exam should follow a systematic and standardized manual and evaluation index to enhance the objectivity, validity, and reliability of the certification. The class hours of the training course were also changed. General training course hours decreased from 120 to 40, and practical training course hours decreased from 80 to 62. The reasons for decreasing course hours included: training center were mainly located in the Seoul area and lacked in other areas, inconsistent quality among training centers, and the lack of evaluations regarding the candidates’ attitude and class participation during the training courses. Ultimately, improvements to the training courses will allow for the development of multiple curricula. CONCLUSIONS The Exercise Specialist Qualification System was developed in 2015, but several issues have been identified that include the tasks of the exercise specialist, eligibility as an exercise specialist, qualification examinations, and training courses that need improvement. Increasing the employment of exercise specialists is important in order to develop cooperation among certifying agencies.