STATE ANXIETY FOLLOWING RESISTANCE EXERCISE - THE ROLE OF GENDER AND EXERCISE INTENSITY

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of resistance exercise on state anxiety. In experiment 1, participants engaged in t hree 20-min bouts of resistance exercise, with intensity set as a func tion of perceived exertion. Results indicated that the relationship be tween resistance exercise and anxiety was moderated by both exercise i ntensity and gender Although females reported no change in anxiety mal es reported an increase in anxiety following moderate- and high-intens ity exercise, and a decrease in anxiety following low intensity exerci se. Experiment 2 was designed to replicate these findings utilizing a more precise manipulation of exercise intensity. Results indicated tha t the change in anxiety was again moderated by exercise intensity but was unaffected by gender: Both males and females reported increases in anxiety following 20 min of high-intensity exercise (75-85% of 1 RM), as well as significant decreases in anxiety following low-intensity e xercise (40-50% of 1 RM).