Mon Sep 23 23:01:00 UTC 2024: ## 15 Minutes of Movement Can Reverse the Negative Effects of Desk Work, Study Finds

**LONDON, Sept. 24, 2024** – A new global study commissioned by ASICS has revealed that just two hours of continuous desk work can negatively impact our mental state, leading to increased stress levels. However, the study, conducted by researchers at King’s College London, also found that just 15 minutes of movement can reverse these effects.

The study, involving 26,000 participants across 22 countries, found that State of Mind scores declined with prolonged inactivity. In a separate experiment focused on desk work, stress levels rose significantly after four hours of uninterrupted desk time. However, when participants took a 15-minute movement break daily for a week, their mental state improved by 22.5%, with overall State of Mind scores increasing from 62/100 to 76/100.

To raise awareness of this issue, ASICS has released a Public Service Announcement (PSA) featuring actor Brian Cox, who plays the role of a terrifying boss, emphasizing the silent threat to mental health posed by prolonged desk work. The PSA urges office workers to prioritize their mental health by taking regular movement breaks, or “Desk Breaks.”

The study’s findings have led ASICS to encourage its own employees to prioritize movement throughout the workday. The company is also calling on office workers around the world to participate in the #DeskBreak movement on World Mental Health Day, October 10th, by sharing images of their empty desks.

Dr Brendon Stubbs, a leading researcher in exercise and mental health at King’s College London, emphasized the profound impact of even short periods of movement: “What surprised us with the Desk Break experiment was how powerful the 15-minute movement breaks were in improving well-being and reducing stress.”

The study highlights the growing need for workplace policies that encourage regular movement breaks to promote employee mental health and well-being. ASICS aims to continue advocating for the power of movement, not just for physical health, but for mental well-being as well.

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