Gen Z: couch potatoes compared to their (great) grandparents?

Just under 16 minutes. That's how long it takes to get a mental boost from exercise. The ASICS 2024 State of Mind Study reinforces the positive impact of exercise on psychological wellbeing and identifies a direct link between exercise in teenage years and mental health in adulthood. The study, which surveyed over 26,000 people across 22 countries, also reveals that 57% of the Silent Generation were active daily in their childhood, compared to just 19% of Gen Z.

It could get even worse for the next generation – whose members handle iPads before their third birthday and spend 2.48 hours a week shopping online (US kids 8 or younger). So it's time to nudge kids and teenagers, from Gen Alpha to Gen Z, to swap their digital playgrounds for IRL exercise. It's likely to help them feel more energized (30%), confident (21%), focused (19%) and relaxed (23%), equipping them with life-long mental resilience.

Unsurprisingly, sportswear brands are taking the lead:
🏊 adidas enters the move-to-earn scene with 1,000 NFTs
🏃 Saucony challenges phone users to run further than they scroll
🧘‍♀️ Nike and Dove's Body Confident Sport builds body confidence in girls
🤸 In a generational flip, ASICS' Little Reminders sees 7-to-8-year-olds remind adults to exercise