New study explores the world’s new-found love of running

A new study investigating links between running and mental health has revealed positive results. Amidst the confinement and isolation of lockdown, the world has fallen in love with running – according to the new study by ASICS. More importantly, the research shows nearly three-quarters of runners plan to stick with their new exercise routine.

A study of more than 14,000 people globally during lockdown shows more people than ever before are running as a way to exercise. More than a third of regular exercisers are exercising more now than they were before lockdown and 81% of runners say running helps to clear their mind. A whopping 79% say exercise is currently helping them feel more sane and more in control and 73% of runners say they want to keep running as much as they are now after the pandemic ends.

The study followed 14,000 regular exercisers across 12 countries, as well as using data from fitness-tracking app, Runkeeper, that showed runners of every level are clocking up more strides, 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.

Feeling free

The ASICS study also revealed 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 helping them feel in control. A similar number (81%) say running is playing a key role in helping them clear their mind.

“Despite the lockdown and social distancing measures, exercise and running in particular have become central to many people’s daily lives,” says Linda van Aken, VP Running, ASICS EMEA. “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.” 

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 @ASICSME and a friend to do the same.