Examining The Effects of Functional Resistance Training on Affect, State Anxiety and Enjoyment in College-Age Females

Abstract

College-aged females, who are less likely to meet ACSM resistance training (RT) guidelines than males, face a number of barriers to RT adoption and maintenance. Females experience more perceived barriers to RT (such as enjoyment, pleasure, embarrassment and anxiety) suggesting that programs could be developed to address these barriers. Functional RT (FRT) uses multi-joint exercises similar to activities of daily life and has yet to be compared to traditional RT using machines (TRT) to determine the effects of acute sessions in this population. PURPOSE: To compare the effects of an acute bout of both a functional and traditional RT program on affect, state anxiety (SA) and enjoyment. METHODS: Female students (n=27) ages 18-35 years (26±4.3 years; BMI=25.2±5.3 kg/m2) not currently meeting RT guidelines completed 4 trainer-led RT sessions (2 FRT, 2 TRT) within 4-weeks (2-7 days apart) in a randomized crossover design. Session 1 of each RT type familiarized participants to the exercises, while session 2 consisted of 2 sets of 10 repetitions at a moderate intensity (using RPE scale) and collection of assessment measures. Affect and SA were assessed pre, post, and 15 minutes post, while enjoyment was assessed at post. RESULTS: RPE did not differ significantly between types of training (FRT 5.8±1.2; TRT 6.2±1.1; p=0.09). Repeated measures ANOVA revealed no significant differences in change scores pre to post or 15 minutes post in affect (both p>0.05) nor SA (both p>0.05) between FRT and TRT; however, pre to post-exercise changes in affect were positive and greater in FRT (d=+.87) compared to TRT (+.77), and greater in decreases in SA (FRT, d=-.53; TRT, d= -.43). Between group results indicate enjoyment levels were significantly greater following FRT compared to TRT (p<0.05). Secondary outcomes reveal within-group increases in positive affect and decreases in SA pre to post and 15 minutes post-exercise (all p<0.05) in both types of RT. CONCLUSION: While no differences in affect or SA were found between types of RT, participants had significantly greater enjoyment levels following the FRT session. Though both FRT and TRT sessions increased affect and decreased SA, higher levels of enjoyment following FRT may lead to increased adoption rates acutely and possibly increase the percentage of college-females meeting ACSM RT guidelines.