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ASICS state of mind

’15 minutes is all it takes’ – Research uncovers positive link between tennis and mental health


Study of 37,000 finds an ‘exercise generation gap’ but proves that the perception of required amount of exercise is actually double the reality

Leading researchers from Kings College London and global sports footwear brand ASICS have teamed up to create a ‘Global State of Mind Index’ and the recently published results show that active individuals have a significantly higher ‘state of mind’ score than those who are inactive.

The study also found a huge difference between the activity levels of different generations with 64% of ‘Baby Boomers’ (57+ years) exercising regularly against just 43% of ‘Gen Z’ (18-24 years). This led to a 13 point difference in the respective generations ‘State of Mind’ score.

The ‘State of Mind’ study found that while the global population perceive 30 minutes as the minimum amount of exercise required to experience the uplifting impact of movement, new ASICS’ research proves that just 15 minutes and 9 seconds of movement is all it can take to begin feeling the mood-boosting effects.

Dr Brendon Stubbs, a leading exercise and mental health researcher from King’s College London who led the study, said: “There is a common perception that you need to move for a long time to experience the uplifting benefit. However, our new research proves this is not the case – just over 15 minutes of movement is actually all it can take to experience the positive impact. Coinciding with the State of Mind Index, which demonstrates the positive link between movement and mental health on a global scale like never before, we hope it will be inspiring for many to see the impact that such a small amount of movement can have.”

Inspired by the finding, ASICS is now looking to ‘get the world moving’ through its 15:09 Uplift Ambassadors. The club’s founding members – including retired US runner Deena Kastor, Japan’s former volleyball international Yuki Mori and Olympic marathon winner Mizuki Noguchi, Italy’s Olympic marathon champion Stefano Baldini, and the UK’s former 10,000 world champion Liz McColgan – are a ‘celebration of the uplifted older generation’s approach to movement and exercise’, as revealed by the State of Mind Index study results.

For more information visit ASICS State of Mind Index

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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.