The results of the latest ASICS State of Mind Index were released last week. This is the innovative global study ASICS completes every two years to understand in detail the relationship between movement and the mind and identify key actionable trends. This year, there were 26,000 adults covered in 22 countries.
The main overarching results are consistent with previous iterations and the wider literature. The more we move, the better we feel i.e. higher levels of physical activity are associated with better mental wellbeing. We have previously shown that there is a linear increase in higher mental health from engaging in up to 300 minutes of physical activity, after which we see a plateauing of the effects and then a decrease in some people over 600 minutes a week.
One of the really interesting findings from the ASICS State of Mind Index was the fact that age 15-17 was the key age for an association with later life wellbeing. One interesting statistic was that for every year that people remained engaged in physical activity during adolescence, there was a “does response” higher adult State of Mind. Specifically, people who dropped out at 15, 16-17, 18-19 or 20-22 saw a linear relationship with adult State of Mind as shown in the graph below.
This is very congruent with much of the other research we have done, showing that of concern physical activity levels are declining in adolescence (whilst sedentary behaviour levels are rising). However, we can potentially reduce 10% of cases of depression if we encourage young people to swap 60 minutes of sedentary time with activity. So, there is some hope if we can help young people to become interested and experience joy, success, connection and purpose through being active.
A lot of people have asked me – why are we seeing this relationship in young people. The reality is there are various factors are at play, including some unknowns. First, we know that the attention (particularly in the online world) of young people is being grabbed at escalating proportions as people spend more time online. There is no denying that the world is becoming increasingly digital and one method to address this issue in young people could be harnessing the benefits of virtual reality of fitness such as FitXR which I have written about recently. Second, physical activity requires exertion, and the dopamine hit can be reasonable but the hurdle to motivate one to start is not inconsequential. Third, we know that many lifelong behaviours are really consolidated during adolescence – particularly with sport. Thus it is key that we address the rising levels of inactivity at this time.
How do we address this? Well, we should really try and encourage young people to have freedom of time to choose activities they enjoy, encourage the social support and reaffirm the message there is no right or wrong type of movement, the key message is find one you enjoy and try and be consistent.
I really enjoyed discussing the results to a packed audience in Paris for the Festival of Running.
Do you have any questions about youth physical activity and wellbeing?
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