Acute Exercise Effects on Mood Among Young Adults with Worry Symptoms Indicative of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Abstract

Evidence supports the effects of exercise training on clinical severity, associated signs and symptoms, dimensions of sleep quality and quantity, and health-related quality of life among individuals with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). However, little is known about the acute effects of exercise among individuals with clinical or subclinical GAD. PURPOSE: This study quantified mood responses to either acute aerobic exercise or quiet rest, examined potential sex-related differences in response, and explored potential moderators of response among young adult men and women with worry symptoms indicative of GAD. METHODS: Twenty-five young adults (8 males; 17 females; 21.1±1.3y) with Penn State Worry Questionnaire scores ≥45 (58±8) completed two 30-min conditions in counterbalanced order: vigorous treadmill running or seated quiet rest. Outcomes included worry symptoms, state anxiety, feelings of tension, depression, anger, energy, fatigue, and confusion, and total mood disturbance. RM-ANOVA examined differences across condition and time and between males and females. Hedges’ d effect sizes (95%CI) were calculated to quantify and compare the magnitude of change in response to exercise compared to control. Regression explored potential moderators of mood response. RESULTS: Average heart rate was 163±5.4 bpm and participants reported an average session RPE of 13±2 (range: 9 to 17). Compared with control, acute exercise significantly improved state anxiety, feelings of depression, anger, energy, fatigue, and confusion, and total mood disturbance (all p≤0.04). Moderate-to-large improvements were found for anger (d=0.57, 95%CI: 0.01, 1.13), fatigue (d=0.67, 95%CI: 0.10, 1.24), confusion (d=0.87, 95%CI: 0.29, 1.45), and energy (d=0.87, 95%CI: 0.29, 1.45), and total mood disturbance (d=1.10, 95%CI: 0.50, 1.69). The magnitude of improvements were greater (i.e., larger effect sizes) among men for all outcomes except feelings of energy and fatigue and worry symptoms. High trait anxiety, depression, and poor sleep did not moderate exercise effects (all p>0.10). CONCLUSION: Findings provide initial support for both the positive effects of acute aerobic exercise on mood and potential sex-related differences in exercise effects among young adults with worry symptoms indicative of GAD.