Investigating the effects of aerobic exercise on anxiety in women and men

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess how aerobic exercise affects anxiety and was there any difference between two gender.Method: 20 (10 exercise group, 10 non-exercise group) women and 20 (10 exercise group, 10 non-exercise group) men volunteers entered the study. Subjects of exercise groups participated in 60 min aerobic exercise at 60% max heart rate. While exercise groups were doing aerobic exercise, non exercise groups only sat besides them. Whole groups completed Spielberg State-Trait Inventory (STAI) before and 5 min after the aerobic exercise session.Results: Results indicated that; the trait anxiety levels are higher in male exercise group than exercising women. The moderate exercise had no effect on anxiety scales in whole groups.Our study showed that:-Acute moderate exercise has no effect on state and trait anxiety level- State anxiety does not show sex difference.-Trait anxiety levels are statisticaaly higher in male voluntary exercising group, than exercising women.Key Words: State anxiety, trait anxiety, aerobic exercise, anxiety, gender