Global Physical Activity Levels Have Fallen
Adults are moving less as modern habits, including online shopping and remote socializing, replace physical movement.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Fitness
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ASICS has issued a formal conservation warning after research revealed that 53 percent of adults currently fail to meet international physical activity guidelines. As our daily routines shift toward sedentary tasks, researchers warn that this lack of movement may significantly impact global mental well-being.
Why it matters
Modern lifestyle conveniences allow people to work, shop, and socialize without physical effort, effectively designing movement out of daily life. This trend complicates long-term population health, as low activity levels correlate with lower self-reported mental well-being scores.
A survey of 34,000 people across 31 countries found that 86 percent of waking hours are spent sedentary, with 23 percent of individuals categorized as having endangered movement levels. While researchers identified a link to lower mental well-being, the data is observational.
The players
ASICS
A Japanese athletic equipment company that researches the connection between movement and mental health.
The details
To measure these shifts, ASICS developed the Movement Conservation Status, which classifies individuals based on international activity guidelines. Current data shows that 41 percent of people now complete errands online, while 39 percent prefer digital interaction over face-to-face socializing. These shifts remove natural opportunities for movement, contributing to a broader sedentary environment.
Timeline
July 2026: The global State of Mind study was conducted.
September 30, 2026: ASICS officially issued the movement conservation warning.
2035: Projected adult physical activity failure rate reaches 56 percent.
Health Landscape
This warning follows the broader data collected in the ASICS State of Mind study regarding human activity. It marks a significant shift in how athletic brands are framing sedentary behavior as a systemic crisis requiring population-level attention.
Consider if your daily routine allows for short bursts of movement, as research suggests even small increments can uplift mental states. If you find your activity levels consistently low, it is worth discussing strategies to safely increase movement with your doctor.
The takeaway
The decline in daily movement is a growing concern that may affect global mental health outcomes by 2035. You can track your own activity levels against international guidelines and speak with a physician about building more sustainable, active habits into your daily schedule.
Further reading
For more context on integrating physical activity into modern routines, visit our Fitness section.
More information
Review the full ASICS movement conservation information to understand the classification criteria used in the study.
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Do you plan to intentionally add more physical movement into your daily routine?
