COVID-19
The study, which ASICS is conducting
to better understand and support the
changing needs of runners, spoke to
14,000 regular exercisers aged 18 to 64, who
all exercise at least once a week, in Australia,
Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Italy,
Japan, Russia, Spain, the United Kingdom
and the United States. The results showed
that more than a third (36%) of these runners
are now more active than they were before
the COVID-19 pandemic began, despite most
sports being brought to a standstill by social
distancing measures.
Meanwhile figures from the fitness-tracking app,
Runkeeper, show that runners of every level are
clocking up more mileage, more often. During April 2020,
the app saw a 252% rise in registrations globally and a 44%
increase in monthly active users compared to the same time last year.
It also reported a 62% spike globally in people heading out for a weekly run. Put in context, the
recent Global Running Day saw a 47.3% global increase in people running compared to last year.
The 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 by
challenging situations, like the one we are in now, and eight in ten runners (79%) insist that being
active is making them feel saner and more in control. A similar number (81%) say running is
playing a key role in helping them clear their mind, while two-thirds (65%) insist that the mental
benefits of running outweigh any other form of physical exercise.
The World
Loves
Running!
Amidst the isolation of lockdown, the world
has fallen in love with running. That’s what
an ongoing study done across 12 countries by
clothing and shoe manufacturer ASICS has found.
More importantly, the research shows nearly
three quarters of runners around the world plan
to stick with their new exercise routine.
Yasuhito Hirota, President and Chief Operating Officer of ASICS, says: “For most of us, life is full
of anxieties, uncertainties and restrictions at the moment. As our study’s initial findings prove,
a run has therefore become much more than just a run. It’s a way for people to put aside the
extraordinary mental challenges of this pandemic. And importantly, it’s something which they want
to maintain as lockdowns ease across the globe.”
He adds that “Nine in 10 runners told us they feel best when their mind and body are connected
– 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. Through our
products and services, and by constantly deepening our understanding of their changing needs,
we want to help runners of every level go further, perform better and protect themselves against
injury – both during this pandemic and beyond.”
Running past COVID-19
Looking to the future, the study goes on to show that runners across the board are keen to keep
their active habits going when this crisis is over. Nearly three-quarters of runners (73%) say they
want to continue running as much as they are now after the COVID-19 pandemic comes to an end,
while seven in ten (70%) 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%) say they
plan to stick with it in future.
“It makes perfect sense that people around the world have turned to running during this crisis,”
says Kelly McGonigal, PhD, health psychologist and lecturer at Stanford University. “When you
run, you literally sense yourself moving forward in life. You can feel your muscles propel you
forward. Your actions take you somewhere. In a time when so many people feel trapped or
isolated, running provides a direct, physical experience of freedom. By encouraging runners of all
abilities to recognise and share how running makes them feel, ASICS is helping them fulfil their
aspirations to keep moving.”
Helping the World Run
ASICS is helping the world maintain and continue its new-found love of running by launching
a series of new initiatives aimed at helping the world’s runners stay active and connected.
1 ASICS Online: For expert advice, training plans and more information about how to run,
people can follow #RunToFeel or visit www.asics.com/za/en-za/mk/run-to-feel
2. ASICS Studio: These home workouts are open to everyone. With 10 personal trainers
and seven different exercise categories, you can stay in shape with motivating music, in the
comfort of your own home. Get it at http://studio.onelink.me/mBmT/downloadASICSStudioIG
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3. ASICS Insta: Regularly updated training tips, weekly exercise sessions, health and
nutrition tips, parenting ideas and more live on the ASICS Instagram channel at www.
instagram.com/asics_za
3. ASICS Blog: A platform for important scientific information around all these topics, every
day, on https://www.asics.com/za/en-za/blog
Images: Courtesy ASICS