Influence of weight training on state anxiety, body awareness and blood pressure.

The primary purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of one session of recreational weight training on state anxiety and related constructs. State anxiety, body awareness and blood pressure were evaluated before and within 5-min following 50-min of self-selected weight training activity in a group of 25 subjects, and following 50-min of non-activity for 25 control subjects. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed that state anxiety did not change (p > 0.05) significantly following weight training or quiet rest. However, there was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in body awareness in the weight training group, as well as a significant (p < 0.05) trials by conditions interaction in systolic blood pressure. The control group experienced a decrease in systolic blood pressure of 5 mmHg, whereas the exercise group had an increase in blood pressure of 5 mmHg. It is concluded that state anxiety is not altered immediately following one session of recreational weight training activity, but this activity does produce increases in body awareness and systolic blood pressure.