Effects of Hatha Yoga and Resistance Exercise on Affect and State Anxiety in Women

Abstract

Purpose: This studyaimed tocompare theeffectsof singleboutsofmoderate-intensity resistance exercise (RE) and Hatha Yoga (HY) on postexercise affect and anxiety. Methods:Active, college-agedwomen (N = 25) completedRE, HY, and no-exercise control sessions. Affect (energy, tiredness, tension, calmness) and state anxiety were assessed before exercise and 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60min after exercise.Results: RE promoted significant postexercise increases in energy and tension and decreases in tiredness (P < 0.05) and calmness (P < 0.01). HY significantly improved calmness throughout recovery (P < 0.001). Both HY and RE showed significant reductions in state anxiety (P < 0.05), with the largest effect for HY seen 0min after exercise (effect size, −0.77) and the largest effect for RT observed 60min after exercise (effect size,−0.79).Conclusion:Acute bouts of bothREandHY reduce state anxiety and positively impact various aspects of affect, despite opposing effects seen in affective scores. Furthermore, the divergent time course may reveal potentially different mechanisms that drive these responses. INTRODUCTION Stress and anxiety are often normal aspects of daily living; however, college students in particular are vulnerable to these effects. Furthermore, it has been shown that women experience greater stress compared with men (1). Exercise is one form of active coping or treatment that has the potential to improve bothmental and physical health. The psychological benefits of exercise are vast and include improvements in affect (2, 3) and reductions in anxiety (4) in otherwise healthy adults (5). Overall, the benefits of exercise on anxiety and affect have been well established, but research comparing differing modes of exercise specifically targeting affective change is limited (6). Exercise has the potential to improve anxiety acutely (4), which may be an important aspect in the decision to choose IFNH Center for Health and Human Performance, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ; Institute of Continuing Education for Nutrition Professionals, Charlottesville, VA; Department of Kinesiology, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA; and Department of Kinesiology and Health, Rutgers University,