Since its founding in 1988, the Korean Society for Exercise Physiology (KSEP) has been at the forefront of advancing exercise and sports science. A key milestone in this journey was the launch of the journal, Exercise Science in 1992, which provided a pivotal push for the field, helping to shape and expand the scope of exercise science. As of 2024, the journal has published 33 volumes and remains a vital contributor to both academic and social realms, continually pushing the boundaries of knowledge in exercise science, well beyond the traditional focus of exercise physiology. One of the journal's significant achievements was its selection as a candidate for listing by the National Research Foundation of Korea in 2001, and its subsequent official listing in 2003. This development marked a transformative moment in the journal's history, significantly enhancing its recognition within the academic community. In 2020, the journal achieved another noteworthy accomplishment by being listed in the Scopus database— the first domestic journal in the field of exercise and sports science to earn such a distinction. This recognition is a testament to the journal's longstanding commitment to advancing the discipline and its valuable contributions to academic research. Although the journal's attempt to gain inclusion in the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE) in 2021 did not succeed, the experience provided crucial insights that will guide the future direction of the journal. The lessons learned during this process have reinforced the journal's strategic focus, serving as an essential stepping stone for its ongoing development. Guided by the Korean idiom of On-Go-Ji-Sin (溫故知新)—“ learn from the past and gain new insights”— the Journal, Exercise Science embraces new challenges, aiming to reach greater academic heights based on the successes of its predecessors. As a member of the editorial leadership team, alongside the editor-in-chief, deputy editor-in-chief, and managing editor, I am proud to share the recent progress of the journal. We reaffirm our commitment to addressing future challenges and advancing the journal's mission. Exercise Science will continue to lead the innovative development of kinesiology by strengthening its scientific influence and expanding its social impact.

In response to the rapidly evolving research landscape, the demand for user-friendly and accessible platforms has never been more pressing. To address this, we have focused on enhancing the journal's online presence. A key initiative was the integration of the English and Korean versions of the Research Ethics Regulations, effectively resolving inconsistencies in content and format, thereby ensuring clear and accurate information for researchers. Additionally, we have optimized the functionality of the journal's website to facilitate intuitive navigation for all researchers, further enhancing its accessibility to a global audience.

The progression of exercise science encompasses not only scientific discovery but also a critical responsibility to elevate research ethics. In light of recent findings indicating that less than 30% of the papers published in Exercise Science meet the standards set by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) or the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), we recognize the urgent need to address this gap. To this end, starting with Volume 34, Issue 3, scheduled for publication in August 2025, we will mandate IRB approval for all submitted papers. Furthermore, we have developed specialized ethical guidelines for research involving vulnerable populations, including infants, children, and individuals with disabilities, to ensure that the unique ethical considerations inherent in exercise science research are thoroughly addressed. This is a crucial step toward advancing higher ethical standards within the field.

Following its inclusion in Scopus, the journal has witnessed a gradual increase in submissions from international researchers, although contributions from domestic scholars continue to dominate. To further enhance the journal's global competitiveness, we have expanded the editorial board to include renowned experts in the fields of exercise science and physiology from leading global institutions. Their participation has significantly contributed to expanding the journal's academic depth and improving the quality of English-language manuscripts.

In addition, to enhance the journal's quality, we provide English editing services for the abstracts of all papers submitted by researchers. We are also exploring translation support to encourage more Korean researchers to submit their manuscripts in English, aligning the journal's linguistic and academic standards with those of international journals. These efforts are designed to position the journal as a trusted academic resource in the global research community.

Ensuring the highest level of research quality is the cornerstone of our journal's mission. We have taken a comprehensive approach to address issues such as lack of scientific rigor, excessively high article acceptance rates, and lack of methodological specificity. This includes standardizing the peer review process and introducing detailed reviewer guidelines to ensure consistency of evaluation and in-depth review. Expanding the scope of the journal. These guidelines prioritize innovative research that provides new insights and advances the field, rather than simply replicating existing research. This approach will enhance the journal's scholarly credibility and continue to improve the overall quality of the research published in the journal.

Developing a scholarly journal is a complex and multifaceted process that requires a strategic, well-structured approach. To achieve this, the editorial board is composed of a diverse and accomplished group of experts, including researchers in exercise science, clinical professionals, methodologists, and both domestic and international scholars. This wide range of expertise is vital for the board to effectively manage the responsibilities of reviewing and approving all submitted manuscripts, as well as establishing and overseeing the journal's editorial policies and procedures.

To ensure operational efficiency and address the journal's diverse challenges, we have implemented a structured approach by forming specialized subcommittees within the editorial board. These subcommittees focus on key areas such as research ethics, manuscript quality, and fostering international collaboration, which enables the board to delegate tasks effectively and apply targeted strategies for each challenge. This streamlined structure not only optimizes decision-making processes but also accelerates the implementation of solutions.

The efforts of these expert teams and subcommittees have led to significant improvements in a relatively short timeframe. By leveraging this focused and strategic approach, the editorial board has driven the journal's qualitative growth and reinforced our commitment to upholding the highest standards of academic excellence. This organizational model has been instrumental in enhancing the journal's impact and reputation, ensuring that it remains at the forefront of scholarly publication in exercise science.

Although our initial attempt to secure SCIE indexing did not yield the anticipated results, the insights we gained from the process have provided a clear path forward. This experience has reinforced our determination to pursue continuous improvement. With a shared vision for excellence, we are committed to moving forward together. Our ultimate goal is to position Exercise Science as a world-leading journal in exercise physiology, making significant contributions to the advancement of knowledge on a global scale.

Through ongoing innovation, unwavering dedication, and collaborative efforts, Exercise Science is poised to transcend geographical boundaries and lead the global discourse in exercise and sports science.

We would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the exercise scientists, researchers and officials whose continued support and active participation are the driving forces behind the journal's growth and development. I look forward to working together with you to expand the frontiers of knowledge and achieve even greater academic and research accomplishments.