Measuring state anxiety in the context of acute exercise using the state anxiety inventory: An attempt to resolve the brouhaha

Two studies were conducted to examine the internal consistency and validity of the state anxiety subscale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (SAI) i n the context of acute exercise. SAI responses typically found in the exerc ise literature were replicated. Analysis at the item level revealed diverge nt response patterns, confounding the total SAI score. During moderate and immediately after vigorous exercise, scores on items referring to cognitive antecedents of anxiety decreased, whereas scores on items assessing percei ved activation increased. Indices of internal showed exercise-associated de creases. A principal-components analysis of responses immediately postexerc ise revealed a multidimensional structure, distinguishing "cognitive" and " activation" items. By failing to discern exercise-induced and anxiety-relat ed increases in activation from anxiety-antecedent appraisals, the SAI exhi bits compromised internal consistency and validity in the context of acute exercise.