PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - P J O'Connor
AU  - S J Petruzzello
AU  - K A Kubitz
AU  - T L Robinson
TI  - Anxiety responses to maximal exercise testing.
AID  - 10.1136/bjsm.29.2.97
DP  - 1995 Jun 01
TA  - British Journal of Sports Medicine
PG  - 97--102
VI  - 29
IP  - 2
4099  - http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/29/2/97.short
4100  - http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/29/2/97.full
SO  - Br J Sports Med1995 Jun 01; 29
AB  - The influence of maximal exercise testing on state anxiety was examined in three separate studies. Highly trained male distance runners (Study 1, n = 12) as well as college students with average (Study 2, n = 16) and below average (Study 3, n = 32) physical fitness levels completed graded maximal exercise tests. This last group was also randomly assigned to either a control or an 8 week training programme in order to determine the effect of increased fitness on the psychological responses to maximal exercise testing. Physical fitness was determined by the measurement of maximal oxygen uptake. State anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) was assessed before and from 2-15 min following exercise. It was found that the state anxiety responses to maximal exercise testing were not influenced by re-testing or by 8 weeks of endurance training. Across the three study groups, the anxiety response was variable during the first 5 min following exercise testing; increases, decreases and no changes in anxiety were observed when compared to pre-exercise levels. The anxiety response to maximal exercise appeared to be dependent on the pre-exercise anxiety levels as well as the timing of the post-exercise assessments. It is concluded that maximal exercise testing can be associated with negative mood shifts during the first 5 min after exercise; however, this response is transitory and followed by positive mood shifts 10-15 min following such tests.