Date on Master's Thesis/Doctoral Dissertation
5-2004
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Degree Name
M.S.
Department
Health and Sport Sciences
Degree Program
Exercise Physiology, MS
Committee Chair
Adams, Kent
Subject
Exercise for women; Relaxation--Therapeutic use
Abstract
This study compared brief, single sessions of physical activity (PA, self-paced treadmill walking) and relaxation/meditation (R/M, the "Body Scan") on positive and negative affect and anxiety measures in female undergraduates. Both were predicted to reduce negative and enhance positive affect. Differential effects of PA and R/M were predicted for participants with predominantly cognitive or somatic anxiety symptoms. Forty-six undergraduates were randomized to PA or R/M interventions. Changes in positive and negative affect (Positive and Negative Affect Scale, PANAS) and anxiety (Spielberger State/Trait Anxiety Inventory) were assessed using multivariate, repeated-measures statistics. Both PANAS Negative Affect & STAI anxiety scores declined following PA, but PANAS positive affect also declined. Similarly, R/M significantly reduced STAI and PANAS Positive Affect scores, and (marginally) PANAS negative affect. Anxiety reduction was greatest following R/M for participants with cognitive anxiety symptoms, but the complementary prediction concerning P/A and somatic symptoms was not supported.
Recommended Citation
Salmon, Paul Gregory 1948-, "A comparison of brief, single sessions of physical activity and relaxation/meditation on affective responses of female undergraduates." (2004). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 1254.
https://doi.org/10.18297/etd/1254
