Butki, B. D., & Rudolph, D. L. (1997). Do short bouts of exercise reduce anxiety? Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 29(5), Supplement abstract 674.

Moderately active females (N = 36) were assigned to one of three exercise conditions: 10, 15, or 20 min of treadmill running at a moderate level of perceived exertion.

All exercise conditions significantly reduced anxiety. There were no group differences or interactions between exercise form and groups.

Implication. Exercise sessions as brief as 10 minutes are effective in reducing feelings of tension and anxiety. In situations where anxiety is possible, such as very close to the start of competitions, recommending that athletes keep mildly active could be a preventive procedure for anxiety onset.

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