Brits ‘endangered’ by inactivity as we spend 82% of waking hours sitting still

The average Brit spends 82% of their waking hours not moving at all, according to research. Research of 34,000 people across 31 countries found 42% of UK adults don’t currently meet their recommended physical activity guidelines.

Seven in ten claim it’s easy to spend an entire day barely moving because everything is so convenient. More than four in 10 (43%) went as far as to say they could comfortably not leave their home for three or more days – rising to 53% of 18-24-year-olds.

The findings revealed 17% of UK adults had movement levels classified as ‘endangered’, doing less than 30 minutes of exercise each week.

Inspired by nature conservation, ASICS worked with experts to develop the world’s first Movement Conservation Status. Based on internationally recognised physical activity guidelines, it classifies movement levels as active, at risk, or endangered.

To highlight the issue, ASICS has released Human Nature, a new nature documentary narrated by the award-winning Sigourney Weaver. The short film explores how sofas, screens and convenience are quietly replacing everyday movement.

David Raichlen, professor of biological sciences and anthropology at the University of Southern California, said: “We’ve built a world that makes movement optional.

“We can work, shop, socialise and be entertained without ever really moving – and while that’s convenient, our bodies and minds still depend on regular movement to stay healthy.

“The encouraging thing is that it doesn’t take much to change – small, achievable moments of activity can make a real difference, and the challenge is to simply build them back into the world we live in now.”

By 2035, the proportion of UK adults with movement levels not meeting recommended guidelines, classified as ‘at risk’ or ‘endangered’, is projected to rise to 46% – an estimated 27 million.

Globally, that figure is expected to reach 2.3 billion adults, with consequences for body and mind.

In the UK, people whose movement is classified as ‘endangered’ reported significantly lower State of Mind scores (57/100 on average) than those whose movement is classified as ‘Active’ (70/100).

Those moving at endangered levels also feel less energised (25%), composed (17%), and focused (17%), and 16% more stressed than those whose movement is classified as active.

Young people are particularly at risk, as 55% of 18–24-year-olds failed to meet recommended activity levels. Nine in 10 (92%) experience negative consequences as a result, including low mood, increased stress, and poor sleep.

The research also suggests modern convenience is quietly designing movement out of everyday life, but this has a cost.

Those who very often go a full day without leaving home have average State of Mind scores of 55/100, against 71/100 for those who leave home every day.

Technology is accelerating the trend, with 56% regularly completing errands online rather than in person and 31% often socialising by phone or video instead of face-to-face.

Among 18-24-year-olds, 34% now use AI to complete tasks they would previously have done themselves – the highest of any age group, according to the OnePoll.com data.

But the good news is that small amounts of movement can make a real difference, with ASICS research showing just 15 minutes of movement can help deliver a measurable uplift in mental state.

Gary Raucher from ASICS, which is encouraging everyone to take 15 minutes to thrive this World Mental Health Day, said: “Today, as modern life quietly designs movement out of everyday life, we believe it’s more important than ever to remind people of the power of movement.

“We hope to inspire people everywhere to move for just 15 minutes, because even small amounts of movement can make a meaningful difference to both body and mind.”

Hayley Jarvis, head of physical activity at Mind, said: “We know movement can be a powerful tool for supporting mental wellbeing.

“This research is an important reminder of how easily modern life can remove movement from our days – especially for the youngest adults – and the impact this can have on our mental wellbeing.

“Yet small, consistent changes – whether it’s a walk, a stretch or a run – can have a meaningful impact.”