INFLUENCE OF WEIGHT TRAINING ON STATE ANXIETY, BODY AWARENESS AND BLOOD-PRESSURE

The primary purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effect o f one session of recreational weight training on state anxiety and rel ated constructs. State anxiety, body awareness and blood pressure were evaluated before and within 5-min following 50-min of self-selected w eight training activity in a group of 25 subjects, and following 50-mi n of non-activity for 25 control subjects. Repeated measures ANOVA rev ealed that state anxiety did not change (p > 0.05) significantly follo wing weight training or quiet rest. However, there was a significant ( p < 0.05) increase in body awareness in the weight training group, as well as a significant (p < 0.05) trials by conditions interaction in s ystolic brood pressure. The control group experienced a decrease in sy stolic blood pressure of 5 mmHg, whereas the exercise group had an inc rease in blood pressure of 5 mmHg. It is concluded that state anxiety is not altered immediately following one session of recreational weigh t training activity, but this activity does produce increases in body awareness and systolic blood pressure.