{"id":617431,"date":"2021-02-03T09:25:57","date_gmt":"2021-02-03T07:25:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/deploy.frankfurt-marathon.com\/?p=617431"},"modified":"2021-02-03T09:25:57","modified_gmt":"2021-02-03T07:25:57","slug":"asics-returns-to-its-roots-to-uplift-the-world-through-sport","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.frankfurt-marathon.com\/en\/asics-returns-to-its-roots-to-uplift-the-world-through-sport\/","title":{"rendered":"ASICS RETURNS TO ITS ROOTS TO UPLIFT THE WORLD THROUGH SPORT"},"content":{"rendered":"

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As the world faces the risk of a mental health pandemic, <\/em>ASICS renews its commitment to move minds through sport<\/em><\/h3>\n

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[13 JANUARY 2021 \u2013 HOOFDDORP, THE NETHERLANDS]<\/strong> \u2013 As the world faces the risk of a mental health pandemic, ASICS today announces its renewed commitment to use the power of sport to uplift the world. In 2021 and beyond, ASICS will support more people to experience the transformative power of sport, not just on the body but on the mind. Through research and innovation, and by supporting projects that get people moving for positive physical and mental wellbeing, ASICS is committed to moving body and mind.<\/p>\n

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Moving Minds Since 1949 <\/strong><\/p>\n

ASICS, an acronym of the Latin phrase Anima Sana In Corpore Sano or a Sound Mind in a Sound Body, has always believed in the positive impact of sport on the mind.\u00a0 ASICS\u2019 founder, Kihachiro Onitsuka, saw that sport had the ability to bring hope and lift spirits in post-war Japan. Today, ASICS\u2019 founding philosophy is perhaps more relevant than ever before. Which is why the company is returning to its roots and putting \u201cSound Mind, Sound Body\u2122\u201d at the core of its business.<\/p>\n

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Moving Minds Through Research and Innovation <\/strong><\/p>\n

In 2021, ASICS will undertake a landmark research project into the positive impact of sport on mental wellbeing. It will use cutting-edge biometric technology to capture the true impact of sport on the minds of thousands of participants around the world.<\/p>\n

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Ahead of the research project\u2019s full roll-out, ASICS has also conducted an initial feasibility study involving a group of elite athletes \u2013 including British Olympic runner and European Triathlon Champion Beth Potter \u2013 and everyday athletes as a basis for comparison.<\/p>\n

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Moving Minds Measured<\/strong><\/p>\n

Overseen by Dr Brendon Stubbs, a leading exercise and mental health researcher based at King\u2019s College, London, the study measured a series of brain pathways known to influence the emotional and cognitive elements of mental wellbeing. And it found that after a short amount of physical activity, the everyday athletes experienced an overall emotional uplift, including up to a 29% improvement in their ability to cope with stress and up to an 18% increase in their relaxation levels. They also reported a significant drop in negative emotions like frustration (up to 135%) and were up to 28% less prone to making rash decisions and reacting negatively to challenges or disruption.<\/p>\n

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When it comes to the brain pathways associated with cognitive performance, the everyday athletes again demonstrated a significant uplift after a brief amount of sport. This included up to a 26% increase in brain processing speed, up to a 21% improvement in memory and as much as a 58% reduction in their levels of cognitive stress, some of the symptoms of which are anxiety, forgetfulness and disorganisation.<\/p>\n

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Interestingly, both the emotional and cognitive uplifts were greater among the everyday athletes than among the elite ones.<\/p>\n

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Following this initial feasibility study, ASICS is continuing to conduct the experiment with both everyday and elite athletes. The findings of this research project will be used to develop future innovations that unlock the mental benefits of sport and exercise for athletes of all levels.<\/p>\n

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Moving Minds at Sunrise to Spread Positivity\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

From today, ASICS is coming together with its athletes – including Henri Shoeman, No\u00eblle Roorda and Kiryu Yoshihide – to issue an open invitation to people around the world to join their mission to uplift the world. Using sunrise as a symbol of hope, ASICS is encouraging people everywhere to kick start the New Year by moving at sunrise to spread positivity, and raise awareness and funds. From today, hundreds of ASICS athletes, ambassadors and employees will move at sunrise, and for every #SunriseMind selfie they share ASICS will make a donation to mental health charity Mind to fund research into mental health in sport and fund\u00a0support services\u00a0for people experiencing mental health problems.<\/p>\n

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To get involved:<\/p>\n

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