Bartholomew, J. B. (1999). The effect of resistance exercise on manipulated preexercise mood states for male exercisers. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 21, 39-51.

This study examined the effects of resistance exercise on manipulated preexercise mood. Undergraduate males (N = 40) were assigned to a resistance exercise or no-exercise (control) activity group. Before the experimental conditions, Ss were exposed to positive, negative, or neutral mood inductions through guided imagery techniques.

Non-exercisers' mood plateaued at baseline level within 15 minutes. After an initial rise resistance exercisers reported anxiety falling below baseline within 30 minutes postexercise. Neither condition maintained the manipulated positive mood nor reduced the manipulated negative mood. The exercise acted as a mood distraction.

Implication. Resistance exercise is not merely one of many physical activities that could be used to distract an individual and improve mood. It is unique in that it improves mood.

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