Move your body, create a map

Participants are required to capture their pre- and post-exercise mental well-being using the online Mind Uplifter tool. — Asics

FEEL good after you’ve completed your daily run?

A small study using a combination of electroencephalogram (EEG) and self-reported data on 42 elite and everyday athletes shows that this is not just in your head.The results proved that running had a positive impact on the mind immediately afterwards, including an increase in contentment (14.4%), relaxation (13.3%) and energy (9.7%).

However, this study is just a precursor to what aims to be the world’s first live study on the impact of movement on the mind.Anyone anywhere in the world willing to do 20 minutes of physical activity a day and able to access the Internet is welcome to participate.

Twenty-five types of physical activity, ranging from walking, strength training, running and dancing to yoga, pilates and basketball, are included.

Participants have to use the Mind Uplifter online tool to capture the impact of their activity across 10 emotional and cognitive metrics, including confidence, positivity, calm and focus.

The tool combines facial-scanning technology and self-reported data collection to see how different physical activities impact how participants think and feel.

This data will feed into a live global study, capturing individual “mind uplifts” from around the world and visually transforming them into an interactive World Uplift Map.

The map will quantify the positive impact a particular physical activity is having on the collective mood of cities, nations and the world.

Initiated by Japanese sportswear brand Asics, the study aims to recruit a million participants this year.

“With exercise playing such a valuable role in maintaining our mental health and well-being, it is more important than ever that people can see and understand the positive link between the two,” said King’s College London exercise and mental health researcher Dr Brendon Stubbs.

“Our ambition is to inspire as many people as possible to move their mind and reap those all-important cognitive and emotional benefits for themselves,” added Dr Stubbs, who co-developed the first preliminary study.

He was speaking during a webinar to launch the global study last week.

To participate, visit minduplifter.asics.com.

Runners in particular can participate in the World Uplifting Minds Run throughout this month.