AsiaNet 84298

TOKYO, LONDON and ROME, June 9, 2020 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

A new study investigating running behaviours and mental health during lockdown

including 14,000 people globally, reveals more people are running for mental

benefits

43% of regular exercisers in the UK are exercising more now than they were

before lockdown

82% of UK runners say running is helping to clear their mind and 78% say

exercise is helping them feel more sane and in control

72% of runners want to keep running as much as they are now after the pandemic

ends

Amidst the confinement and isolation of lockdown, the UK has fallen in love

with running – that is according to a new study[1] by ASICS. More importantly,

the research shows nearly three quarters of UK runners plan to stick with their

new exercise routine.

The study of 14,000 regular exercisers[2] across 12 countries, found that more

than a third (36%) globally and 43% in the UK are exercising more now than they

were before the COVID-19 pandemic began – despite most sports being brought to

a standstill by social distancing measures.

Meanwhile, figures from fitness-tracking app, Runkeeper[3], show that runners

of every level are clocking up more strides, more often. During April 2020, the

app saw a 667% rise in registrations in the UK and a 105% increase in monthly

active users compared to the same time last year. It also reported a 98% spike

in the number of people in the UK heading out for a weekly run.

Running and feeling free

Yet the ASICS study also reveals that, for the majority of people, this

activity surge is down to more than just physical health. Two-thirds (67%) say

exercise helps them cope mentally when faced with challenging situations like

the one we are in now, while eight in ten (78%) runners say that being active

is making them feel saner and more in control. A similar number (82%) say

running is playing a key role in helping them clear their mind.

Linda van Aken, VP Running, ASICS EMEA says: "Despite the lockdown and social

distancing measures, exercise and running in particular have become central to

many people's daily lives. Our study's findings prove that a run is much more

than just a run, especially in times of crisis. It's a way for people to put

aside the mental pressures and challenges of this pandemic and feel free."  

Dr Brendon Stubbs, one of the world's most influential exercise & mental health

researchers, based at King's College London says: "As one of the first

multi-country studies, the results demonstrate that during lockdown, running

has become a lifeline for many people to boost their physical and mental

wellbeing. These findings support previous evidence which has demonstrated that

regular exercise is effective to prevent and treat mental health conditions.

Overall, the study by ASICS reinforces what we instinctively know: physical

activity makes us feel better and never has there been a more important time to

become active and experience the mental health benefits from movement.''

Running past COVID-19

Furthermore, runners across the board are keen to keep their active habits

going when this crisis is over. Nearly three-quarters of UK runners (72%) say

they want to continue running as much as they are now after the COVID-19

pandemic comes to an end, while six in ten (61%) people who exercise regularly

are determined to hang on to the important role sport and movement is currently

playing in their lives. Perhaps most encouragingly, among those who only took

up running after the COVID-19 crisis started, nearly two thirds (62%) globally

say they plan on sticking with it in future.

Helping the world run to feel free

Linda van Aken adds: "80% of Brits told us they feel best when their mind and

body are in balance – and never has that balance been more important than it is

now. ASICS was founded on the belief that movement can help anyone achieve a

sound mind through a sound body. So, with our products, services, and events,

we want to help runners of every level go further, perform better and protect

themselves against injury – both during this pandemic and beyond."

ASICS' goal is to support everyone to enjoy the mental freedom that running

brings. Which is why ASICS aims to ensure every runner is running in the right

shoe – for complete peace of mind. ASICS is encouraging all runners to find

their perfect shoe https://www.asics.com/gb/en-gb/mk/run-to-feel

Get Involved

ASICS is encouraging people to share their post-run or post-workout picture on

Instagram with how running or exercise makes them feel. People should use

#RunToFeel and tag @ASICSEurope and a friend to do the same.

For more more information follow #RunToFeel or visit

https://www.asics.com/gb/en-gb/mk/run-to-feel

NOTES FOR EDITOR

ABOUT OUR COVID-19 RESPONSE

We consider the health and wellbeing of our athletes, customers and staff as

our top priority, and we took the decision months ago to close our retail

stores and offices in affected markets around the world. Medical professionals

say that in the current situation movement is very important to ensure

everybody's mental and physical wellbeing. We believe in the power of sport to

uplift us all, and in times like this it has never been as important to help

everyone achieve a sound mind in a sound body. We will continue to do all we

can to help the world achieve that goal.

[1] 14,000 regular exercisers in total across 12 markets, all aged 18-64 and

who exercise at least once a week. Each market had 1,000 respondents unless

specified. Markets: Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Italy,

Japan, Russia, Spain, United Kingdom (2,000) and United States (2,000).

[2]People who exercise at least once a week.

[3]Runkeeper User Trends | Running in the Era of COVID-19, May 2020.

Photo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9JW8VsNrPE  

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1178045/Image_1.jpg  

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1178046/Image_2.jpg  

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1178047/Image_3.jpg  

Source: ASICS