NATIONAL, October 06, 2026: ASICS has released a new nature documentary titled Human Nature, narrated by award-winning actor Sigourney Weaver, to spotlight findings from its latest global research showing that people are spending 86% of their waking day inactive and that 53% of adults are not meeting recommended physical activity guidelines.
The documentary and research, unveiled ahead of World Mental Health Day, highlight concerns over declining movement worldwide and introduce what ASICS calls the world’s first Movement Conservation Status, classifying activity levels as Active, At Risk, or Endangered based on internationally recognised guidelines.
Global inactivity trends and projections
The ASICS Movement Conservation Report, which surveyed 34,000 people across 31 countries, found that 23% of adults are at Endangered movement levels, engaging in less than 30 minutes of exercise per week. The proportion of adults classified as At Risk or Endangered is projected to rise to 56% by 2035, representing an estimated 2.3 billion adults in the countries studied, up from 53% today.
Modern conveniences are cited as a major factor, with 64% of respondents saying it is easy to spend an entire day barely moving. Additionally, 41% regularly complete errands online, and 39% often socialise via phone or video rather than in person. Among 18–24-year-olds, 41% report using AI to handle tasks they would have previously done themselves.
Impact on mental wellbeing
The research links lower movement levels to poorer mental health outcomes. Those classified as Endangered reported average State of Mind scores of 60 out of 100, compared to 71 for those classified as Active. They also reported feeling 23% less energised, 20% less composed, 17% less focused, and 16% more stressed. Young adults are particularly affected, with 57% of 18–24-year-olds failing to meet activity guidelines and 92% experiencing negative consequences such as low mood, increased stress, and poor sleep.
Expert and company perspectives
David Raichlen, Professor of Biology and Anthropology at the University of Southern California, said, “We’ve built a world that makes movement optional. We can work, shop, socialise and be entertained without ever really moving – and while that’s convenient, our bodies and minds still depend on regular movement to stay healthy. The findings are a reminder that movement isn’t an added extra; it’s fundamental to how we feel, think and function. The encouraging thing is that it doesn’t take much to change: small, achievable moments of activity can make a real difference, and the challenge is to simply build them back into the world we live in now.”
Saurabh Sharma, Senior Director–Marketing at ASICS India, said the company’s philosophy of ‘Sound Mind, Sound Body’ is rooted in the belief that physical movement and mental wellbeing are deeply connected. Sharma added that ASICS is encouraging people to participate in its 15 Minutes to Thrive initiative this World Mental Health Day, promoting just 15 minutes of movement to support both body and mind.
Documentary details and movement initiative
Human Nature, narrated by Sigourney Weaver, takes a nature documentary approach to examine how modern environments, including sofas and screens, are reducing everyday movement. The film aims to raise awareness of the importance of integrating movement into daily life, beyond formal exercise.
ASICS is also inviting people to become Movement Conservationists, joining a global community to inspire increased physical activity for improved mental and physical health.
Disclaimer: This article is based on a press release provided by the concerned organisation and has been edited for style and clarity with the assistance of AI tools. BusinessFortnight does not verify, endorse, or take responsibility for the claims, figures, or statements made in the original release.
