Kobe – September 30, 2026 -- ASICS has issued what it calls the world's first conservation warning for human movement, after new research found people report spending 86% of their waking day not moving.
The Japanese sportswear brand released the findings ahead of World Mental Health Day, alongside a short nature documentary titled Human Nature, narrated by actress Sigourney Weaver. The film explores how sofas, screens and modern convenience are quietly replacing everyday movement.
More than half of adults fail to meet activity guidelines today
The global study, conducted in July 2026 among 34,000 people across 31 countries, found 53% of adults are not meeting recommended physical activity guidelines. ASICS worked with experts, including Professor Brendon Stubbs, to create a Movement Conservation Status, classifying weekly activity as active, at risk, or endangered based on WHO and national health guidelines.
Nearly one in four people now qualify as 'endangered' movers
Almost 23% of respondents fall into the endangered category, doing less than 30 minutes of exercise per week. By 2035, the share of adults at risk or endangered is projected to climb to 56%, equivalent to roughly 2.3 billion adults across the countries studied, based on UN population projections.
Low movement is tied to lower mental well-being scores
People classified as endangered reported an average State of Mind score of 60 out of 100, compared with 71 for those classified as active. They also reported feeling 23% less energized, 20% less composed, 17% less focused, and 16% more stressed.
Young adults report the steepest activity shortfalls
Among 18-24 year-olds, 57% fail to meet recommended activity levels, and 92% of that group said they experience negative effects such as low mood, higher stress, and poor sleep. The same age group also had the highest reliance on AI to complete tasks they would previously have done themselves, at 41%.
Staying indoors for days lowers reported well-being
More than four in ten respondents said they could comfortably avoid leaving home for three or more days. Those who frequently go a full day without leaving home reported an average State of Mind score of 62, compared with 71 for those who never do, and were twice as likely to fall into the endangered movement category (40% versus 20%).
Researchers say short bursts of activity can shift mental state
David Raichlen, Professor of Biology and Anthropology at the University of Southern California, said modern life has made movement optional even though bodies and minds still depend on it regularly. ASICS is promoting a "15 Minutes to Thrive" campaign, pointing to research showing that just 15 minutes of movement can produce a measurable uplift in mental state.