The 2020 Lockdown and the Missing Japanese Women Runners

The media reported a global running boom during the lockdowns of 2020. ^{(1, 2, 3, 4)}

However, recently released data for Japan show a decline in women’s participation 2020 versus 2018. ⁽⁵⁾ The survey has been conducted every two years since 1998.

On a variety of measures Japan’s running participation rate, 2020 versus 2018, has risen:

Participation rate (%), Running, Three frequency measures

	2018	2020
Once a week or more
Overall	5.3	5.6
Male	7.8	8.7
Female	2.8	2.6
Once a month or more
Overall	6.4	7.0
Once a year or more
Overall	9.3	10.2
Male	12.9	14.9
Female	5.8	5.6

Source: Sasakawa Sports Foundation, ⁽⁵⁾ Conceptasia, November 2021

However, the increasing participation rate, 2020 versus 2018, is entirely driven by men

Data by gender and age is available for the “Once a year or more” measure. The decline in participation of women in their thirties, 2020 versus 2018, is notably pronounced. The data is in the supporting paper, here.

An obvious observation is that with kindergartens and schools closed, those with young children would be forced to provide continuous care at home. This is likely to be most prevalent amongst parents in their thirties.

Time and more data will enable stronger conclusions.

Running is regarded as one of the best exercises for easing stress. ⁽²⁾ This reflects its rhythmic nature enabling experienced runners to get “into the zone.”

Unexpected childcare responsibilities and a loss of a stress-reduction technique could result in mental wellness issues for some Japanese women in their thirties.

References

1. Asics: New study explores the world’s new-found love of running, June 2020. https://www.asics.com/za/en-za/blog/article/new-study-explores-the-world%27s-new-found-love-of-running
2. Stylist: Running in lockdown: why have so many women turned to jogging for their mental health? https://www.stylist.co.uk/fitness-health/running-mental-health-lockdown/494980
3. Runners World: 2020 Was a Crazy Running Year. Here’s the Data to Prove It, December 2020 https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a34949046/2020-year-in-running-data/
4. Run Repeat: Exercise is Up 88% During COVID-19 [12,913 Person Study], August 2021. https://runrepeat.com/exercise-covid-19-study
5. Sasakawa Sports Foundation, October 2021: Jogging / running estimated population, record high of 10.55 million https://re-how.net/all/1435656/