ASICS Sounds Alarm: Half of Australia's Population Will Be 'Endangered' or 'At Risk' for Movement by 2035

ASICS, the global sportswear brand, has issued a stark conservation warning for movement in Australia, revealing that nearly half of the population (47%) currently fails to meet recommended physical activity guidelines and is classified as 'At Risk' or 'Endangered.' The company's new research, released ahead of World Mental Health Day, projects that if current trends continue, the proportion of Australian adults with insufficient movement will climb to 54% by 2035—equivalent to an estimated 13 million people. The findings are part of ASICS' global State of Mind study, which surveyed 34,000 people across 31 countries, including 1,000 Australians.

The study introduces the world's first Movement Conservation Status, developed with experts and inspired by nature conservation categories. It classifies weekly movement as Active (150+ minutes), At Risk (30-149 minutes), or Endangered (fewer than 30 minutes). Australians report spending 85% of their waking day not moving, and those classified as Endangered have significantly lower State of Mind scores (58/100) compared to Active individuals (67/100). Modern conveniences such as online shopping, home delivery, and digital socializing are cited as key drivers, with 61% of Australians saying it's easy to spend an entire day barely moving. Mark Brunton, Managing Director of ASICS Oceania, emphasized the urgency: 'Today, almost half of Australians are moving At Risk or Endangered levels. We believe it's more important than ever to remind Australians of the power of movement. Even just 15 minutes a day can make a meaningful difference to both body and mind.'

To address the crisis, ASICS has released 'Human Nature,' a short documentary narrated by Sigourney Weaver that explores how modern habitats are designing movement out of daily life. The campaign encourages Australians to take '15 Minutes to Thrive' for World Mental Health Day, highlighting research that just 15 minutes of movement can measurably uplift mental state. The findings have implications beyond Australia, as similar sedentary trends are observed globally, particularly among young people aged 18-24, where 57% fail to meet activity guidelines. ASICS plans to continue promoting movement conservation through its website and global initiatives, urging individuals and policymakers to prioritize physical activity for both physical and mental well-being.