State anxiety and blood pressure following 30 min of leg ergometry or weight training

The effect of different modes of acute exercise on state anxiety and blood pressure was examined. Collegiate varsity athletes (11 females and 15 males) completed 30-min sessions of leg cycle ergometry or weight training in a randomized order on separate days. Both exercise modes were performed within 70-80% of the maximum capacity of each subject. State anxiety, systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure were measured at baseline prior to exercise, immediately post-exercise, 20 min and 60 min following exercise. Repeated-measures ANOVA detected significant (P < 0.05) trial by condition effects for state anxiety and SBP. State anxiety increased (P < 0.001) immediately following weight training but returned to baseline for the remaining assessments. State anxiety decreased (P < 0.05) below baseline at 60 min following ergometry. SBP did not decrease following weight training but was reduced (P < 0.05) by 6.5 mm Hg below baseline at 60 min following ergometry. DBP did not change following either exercise mode. In summary, state anxiety and blood pressure responses to acute physical activity appear to be dependent on the exercise mode, with reductions in state anxiety and systolic blood pressure being associated with ergometry but not weight training.