ASICS Move Her Mind Platform Breaking Down Barriers For Women In Sport

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 27 (Bernama) -- This International Women’s Day, ASICS unveils the results of the largest study ever conducted on the gender exercise gap, reaffirming the positive correlation between women’s exercise levels and their mental health.

According to the study, women who exercise regularly are 52 per cent happier, 50 per cent more energised, 48 per cent more confident, 67 per cent less stressed and 80 per cent less frustrated when exercising.

However, the independent research, conducted on over 25,000 people and led by renowned academics Dr Dee Dlugonski and Professor Brendon Stubbs, alarmingly found that over half of women globally are dropping out or stopping exercise completely, which is negatively impacting their state of mind.

Ominously, the global study revealed that over half of women are unhappy with their exercise levels, with all women facing a myriad of universal challenges and barriers to exercise throughout their lifetime, from time pressures (74 per cent) and low self-confidence (35 per cent) to intimidating environments (44 per cent) or not feeling sporty enough (42 per cent).

Yet, men’s perceptions of these barriers are different to the reality, with only 34 per cent of men recognised lack of time as a barrier to exercise for women, despite three-quarters (74 per cent) of women citing the issue.

In fact, of the top five barriers to exercise perceived by men, only one (costs) actually featured in the list of most common obstacles reported by women, highlighting a disparity between men’s perceptions and the daily reality felt by women worldwide.

In response, according to a statement, ASICS is recognising and amplifying the positive impact of individuals and grassroots organisations who are breaking barriers for women in sport, to support, empower and inspire more women to move.

Currently, the company is spotlighting the remarkable individuals and organisations, who are actively dismantling barriers for women in exercise and sport in addition to the stories of those who are making a difference, the ASICS Move Her Mind platform contains resources, activities and tips to support more women to move more often.

-- BERNAMA