AS the world faces the risk of a mental health pandemic due to Covid-19, Asics has renewed its commitment to use the power of sport to uplift the world.
In 2021 and beyond, it will support more people to experience the transformative power of sport, not just on the body but on the mind, through research and innovation, and by supporting projects that get people moving for positive physical and mental wellbeing.
This year, the brand will also undertake a landmark research project into the positive impact of sport on mental wellbeing.
It will use cutting-edge biometric technology to capture the true effect of sport on the minds of thousands of participants around the world.
Ahead of the research project's full roll-out, Asics has also conducted an initial feasibility study involving a group of elite athletes – including British Olympic runner and European Triathlon Champion, Beth Potter – and everyday athletes as a basis for comparison.
Overseen by Dr Brendon Stubbs, a leading exercise and mental health researcher based at King's College, London, the study measured a series of brain pathways known to influence the emotional and cognitive elements of mental wellbeing. And it found that after a short amount of physical activity, everyday athletes experienced an overall emotional uplift, including up to a 29 per cent improvement in their ability to cope with stress and up to an 18 per cent increase in their relaxation levels.
They also reported a significant drop in negative emotions like frustration and were less prone to making rash decisions and reacting negatively to challenges or disruption.
"It is impossible to overstate just how significant the impact sport and exercise have on our mind. It's absolutely vital that people regularly move their body to experience those all-important cognitive and emotional benefits for themselves. Never has there been a more important time to become active and experience the mental health benefits sport and movement bring," says Dr Stubbs
When it comes to the brain pathways associated with cognitive performance, the everyday athletes again demonstrated a significant uplift after a brief amount of sport. This included up to a 26 per cent increase in brain processing speed, up to a 21 per cent improvement in memory and as much as a 58 per cent reduction in their levels of cognitive stress, some of the symptoms of which are anxiety, forgetfulness and disorganisation.
Interestingly, both the emotional and cognitive uplifts were greater among the everyday athletes than the elite ones.
Following this initial feasibility study, Asics is continuing to conduct the experiment with both everyday and elite athletes. The findings of this research project will be used to develop future innovations that unlock the mental benefits of sport and exercise for athletes of all levels.
Moving Minds at Sunrise to Spread Positivity
Asics is also coming together with its athletes – including Henri Shoeman, Noëlle Roorda, Kiryu Yoshihide, along with our fellow Malaysians: tennis player, Christian Didier Chin; national marathoner, Muhaizar Mohamad; national discus thrower, Karen Yap and national triple jumper, Hakimi Ismail - to issue an open invitation to people around the world to join their mission to uplift the world.
Using sunrise as a symbol of hope, Asics is encouraging people everywhere to kick start the New Year by moving at sunrise to spread positivity and raise awareness.
"We know Covid-19 has put even more pressure on the wellbeing of millions of people. We also know and believe that sport and movement can lift spirits and help people feel better. For us, 2021 is about unlocking the unique power of sport to uplift our minds. That starts with encouraging people everywhere to move with us at Sunrise and will continue throughout the year as we demonstrate our commitments to our founding philosophy of a sound mind, sound body," says Asics president and chief operating officer, Yasuhito Hirota.
In conjunction with this mission, hundreds of Asics athletes, ambassadors and employees will move at sunrise, with the public invited to take part in a contest called The Sunrise Challenge.
To get involved:
Post a photo of a sunrise after your run or workout onto Instagram with
the hashtag #SoundMindSoundBody #SunriseChallenge #ASICSMY
and tag @asicsmalaysia.
Describe in your caption how does sport and movement makes you feel
and impact your mind positively.
Nominate three of your friends to do the same and follow @asicsmalaysia.
One male and one female participant will each win a pair of the Sunrise
Red collection.
Follow @asicsmalaysia to find out more about The Sunrise Challenge.