ASICS, through an exclusive documentary, reveals that physical exercise can significantly improve cognitive function and mental performance. From boosting short-term memory to helping with concentration levels, exercising improves brain power and can be the solution to helping with exams or excelling at work.
In a unique experiment, ASICS invited players from around the world who specialize in mind sports such as chess and electronic sports (eSports), and those who rely on cognitive functions to start an exercise program. After four months of regular physical activity, their minds were considerably sharpened and they performed at an even higher competitive level.
As Participants’ international ratings improved by 75%, proving, once again, the close interaction between our mind and body. THE players’ cognitive function was increased by an average of 10%, with problem-solving skills improved by 9%, short-term memory increased by 12%, and processing speed and alertness increased by 10%.
Other surprising results in the ASICS study were the Group confidence levels that increased by 44%to of concentration at 33% and the of anxiety dropped by 43%. Research shows that exercise can be just as effective at improving brain function as learning a second language, reading daily, playing a new musical instrument, or solving a puzzle every day.1
Renowned researcher and professor of mental health studies, Brendon Stubbs, developed and led the experiment. Each player followed a training program designed by Andrew Kastor, international runner and coach, which included medium-impact cardio, strength training and increasing the players’ exercise schedule to 150 minutes a week. Stubbs measured members’ mental improvement based on performance on mind sports, cognitive tests, and wellness questionnaires over the four-month study period.
Commenting on the results, Stubbs said: “We all know that exercise is good for our mental and physical health, but the impact on cognitive functioning has been less explored. We wanted to examine the effects of exercise on people who depend on their cognitive abilities – mind sports competitors. Our results show significant improvements in their cognitive functioning, including concentration levels and problem-solving skills.
The researcher adds: “Exercise stimulates cell growth in the brain and rapidly increases blood flow to the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, mechanisms that allow us to better retain memories, process information and solve problems more quickly. If exercise can significantly boost the mental performance of professional players, imagine what it could do for the rest of us. From increasing focus when studying for a test, to improving alertness before a paper presentation, exercise can really boost your brain power.”
As well as showing that exercise improved participants’ cognitive function and gaming capabilities, Professor Stubbs also found that players’ mental well-being was significantly improved by 31%2 . At the beginning of the study, the average score was below 58 and at the end it was 76, demonstrating that the significant impact of exercise is also an ally in this matter.
Study head coach Andrew Kastor, who developed the exercise programs, said:
“These results are surprising and speak to the power of exercise. Many of the players couldn’t run for more than a minute at the start of the study, so their training programs had to be moderated. 150 minutes a week sounds like a lot, but you can break that up into 5 30-minute sets. No matter your fitness level, the mental benefits of exercise are accessible to everyone.”
Inspired by the experiment, a film crew followed four competitive players as they did regular drills to improve their rankings on the international stage. The result was the groundbreaking documentary ‘Mind Games — The Experiment’narrated by internationally acclaimed actor and mental health activist, Stephen Fry. The feature film documents the journeys of four players — Kassa Korley, Ryoei Hirano, Ben Pridmore and Sherry Nhan — who specialize in Chess, Mahjong, Memory and eSports, as they competed in professional tournaments around the world. Watch the trailer for the documentary here.
Gary Raucher, EVP, Head de Produtos, Marketing, and Merchandising, ASICS EMEA, comenta:
“Our founding philosophy is literally in our name, A Healthy Soul in a Healthy Bodyor not Sound Mind in a Sound Body. We’ve always encouraged the use of exercise for both physical and mental benefits, but this is the first time we’ve explored the true impact on cognitive functioning. Mind Games — The Experiment showcases the power of exercise to sharpen the mind and we hope that after watching the documentary everyone, regardless of age, body type or fitness level, will be inspired to get moving to help boost their brain .”
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