Effects of exercise and rest on the state anxiety and blood pressure of physically challenged college students.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a single session of exercise and quiet rest on the blood pressure and state anxiety response of physically challenged college students (n = 10) enrolled in an adaptive physical education class. Each student had some degree of injury or disability (none requiring the use of a wheelchair) which made exercising inconvenient with regard to maintaining an optimal level of frequency, intensity, and duration of activity. All subjects participated in two treatment conditions in a counter-balanced design: (1) exercise (on a bicycle ergometer or treadmill) to self-imposed maximum, and (2) quiet rest in a soundproof chamber. Blood pressure and state anxiety (STAI 1) were assessed prior to and immediately following both conditions. A repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze the data. There was a non-significant 7.4 mmHg increase in systolic blood pressure immediately following exercise, and a 9.6 mmHg, decrease following rest. A significant decrease in state anxiety was observed following exercise and rest. It is concluded that individuals who are physically challenged can experience reductions in anxiety after a session of vigorous exercise.