General Incorporated Association Sports wo Tomeru na (Location: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Hideyo Ito, hereinafter referred to as "the Association") will hold the 6th "1252 Certified Female Athlete Conditioning Expert Certification," a certification designed to equip all female athlete coaches, as well as parents and athletes themselves, with essential knowledge and learning, as part of the 1252 Project, an educational and informational initiative on physiology and sports for female athletes.

Applications are now being accepted on the 1252 Expert Certification website. The application deadline is August 21, 2026 (Fri) at 4:00 PM [Note: Convenience store payment deadline is August 14, 2026 (Fri) at 4:00 PM]. The certification exam will be conducted online from September 1, 2026 (Tue) to September 14, 2026 (Mon).

1252 Expert Certification Website

About the "1252 Certified Female Athlete Conditioning Expert Certification"

This certification tests the knowledge required for coaching female athletes. With the aim of widely imparting knowledge to all stakeholders in women's sports, from coaches of top athletes to school teachers, parents, and athletes themselves, two levels of certification are offered.

Focusing on female-specific menstrual issues, the certification aims to acquire correct knowledge regarding female athletes and menstruation from seven perspectives: basic data for understanding the sports environment of female athletes, medicine, exercise physiology, nutrition, anti-doping, S&C and care (strength & conditioning and care), and communication.

Level 1

Advanced specialized knowledge that professionals coaching female athletes should possess

Primary Target Audience

Individuals who require highly specialized knowledge as coaches in women's sports

(e.g., dedicated coaches, instructors in women's sports)

*Only available to those who have obtained Level 2 certification.

Level 2

Fundamental knowledge that must be known when coaching female athletes

Primary Target Audience

All individuals involved in coaching women's sports

(e.g., teachers of women's sports clubs, school teachers, parents)

Voices of Successful Candidates

We interviewed five individuals who took the 1252 Expert Certification, ranging from former Olympians to current coaches, about their motivations for taking the exam and the changes they've experienced in their practice.

Mayumi Ono, Former Japan Women's National Hockey Team Player, Board Member of the Japan Hockey Association

https://1252expert.com/column/681

I believe that being a coach means not only teaching skills but also being entrusted with the athletes' lives. To ensure a better life after retirement, I want to communicate effectively with athletes based on correct knowledge.

I think the 1252 Expert Certification textbook is excellent because it consolidates only the important parts into a single volume.

Ayaka Hirota, Tokyo 2020 Olympic Badminton Japan Representative

https://1252expert.com/column/575

Now that I've taken the certification, I can suggest seeking medical attention, saying things like, "If it's severe, why not go to a gynecologist or hospital?" I can also explain countermeasures, saying, "There are medications and various methods to deal with it." By sharing this information while I'm still an active athlete, I hope to draw more attention to the topic of "menstruation and athletes" from many people.

Kou Takemura, Former Japan National Swimming Team Representative https://1252expert.com/column/564

I want to tell young athletes that "knowing yourself first" is the most important thing. To achieve your dreams, you need an instruction manual for your own body; without it, you can't reach your goals. If you know your body, you can prepare and cope, and conversely, you can improve your performance. The knowledge from 1252 is definitely useful, and learning is the first step towards becoming the person you want to be.

Hiromi Miyake, Former Japan National Weightlifting Team Representative, Coach at Ichigo Co., Ltd. Ichigo Weightlifting Club

Part 1: https://1252expert.com/column/656

Part 2: https://1252expert.com/column/665

My motivation for taking the exam was my desire to broaden my knowledge and my ambition as a coach. If I had had the 1252 Expert Certification textbook during my active career, I believe I would have understood nutrition and why performance declines without proper food intake.

A scientific perspective and understanding one's own body are the strongest weapons for an athlete.

Yasuhiro Okada, General Foundation Osaka Volleyball Association, Coaching and Development Department

https://1252expert.com/column/696

I now realize that in the past, for female athletes, performance fluctuations sometimes occurred when official matches coincided with menstruation. As I read through the textbook, I understood that there are complex characteristics unique to women. I regret that if I had studied this earlier, I might have approached and dealt with situations differently.

I strongly feel that men coaching female athletes should definitely study this.

Full interviews with the above successful candidates, as well as interviews with successful candidates from various positions involved in coaching female athletes, such as junior high school teachers and trainers, are available on the official website. This content allows you to see how the certification can be practically useful.

1252 Expert Certification Website

Implementation Overview

- Dates: September 1, 2026 (Tue) - September 14, 2026 (Mon)

- Application Period: Until August 21, 2026 (Fri) 4:00 PM

*Application period for convenience store payment is until August 14, 2026 (Fri) 4:00 PM

- Exam Fee: Level 1 / ¥12,000 (¥13,200 incl. tax), Level 2 / ¥8,000 (¥8,800 incl. tax)

- Exam Format/Location: Online exam. Can be taken anywhere with an internet connection.

- Number of Questions/Exam Duration: Level 1 / 50 questions, 90 minutes; Level 2 / 30 questions, 60 minutes

*Each level requires renewal every four years. Separate fees apply for renewal.

*For details, please visit the 1252 Expert Certification website.

1252 Expert Certification Website

About the Textbook

This textbook covers the scope of the 1252 Certified Female Athlete Conditioning Expert Certification (Levels 1 & 2), which tests the knowledge required for coaching female athletes.

You can deepen your understanding of knowledge and countermeasures for female-specific issues in the sports world, such as the menstrual cycle, necessary nutrition, and appropriate approaches, which will help improve the performance of female athletes. It also features exclusive dialogue columns with sports industry professionals and top athletes, including Ms. Seiko Hashimoto, former Minister in charge of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, and Mr. Koji Murofushi, Commissioner of the Agency for Cultural Affairs. Through recommendations on the environment surrounding female athletes and the actual experiences of those involved, it is a book that allows for learning from various perspectives. Please use it not only for certification preparation but also as a hint for daily sports coaching of female athletes.

Additionally, as a special benefit for textbook purchasers, training videos are available to aid in coaching and learning.

Book Title: 1252 Certified Female Athlete Conditioning Expert Certification Textbook

Editor: General Incorporated Association Sports wo Tomeru na

List Price: ¥2,500 (¥2,750 incl. tax)

Specifications: A5 size, softcover

Number of Pages: 272 pages

ISBN: 978-4-491-05375-2

Publisher: Toyokan Publishing Co., Ltd.

Sales Location: 1252 Expert Certification Website

What is the "1252 Project"?

Menstruation, which occurs for approximately 12 weeks out of 52 weeks in a year, and the accompanying changes in physical condition are unavoidable issues for female athletes. The project provides various programs, such as online information dissemination and classes, to help female athletes and their coaches, who feel they lack correct information or someone to consult with, learn necessary information in an enjoyable way.

- 1252 Project Introduction Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8D0WARPVGZw

- Athlete Testimonials on Menstruation "Talk up 1252" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVYoDobYa9I

- 1252 Project Official Instagram Account

"1252Playbook" - The New Textbook on Menstruation and Sports

https://www.instagram.com/1252project/

Inquiries

Click here for information on the 1252 Project

Click here for media interview requests and inquiries about our activities

info@spo-tome.com

Requests for Media Coverage

When featuring us in the media, we kindly request that you use one of the following logos whenever possible.

Association Logo

Communication Logo

1252 Project Logo

1252 Certified Female Athlete Conditioning Expert Certification Logo

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