The Effects of Emotional Exposure on State Anxiety

Rest or acute exercise can decrease state anxiety, with some evidence showing acute exercise
to prevent elevations in anxiety after exposure to emotional stimuli. The purpose of this
study was to examine the effectiveness of an acute YogaFit session on state anxiety, heart
rate, and measures of heart rate variability (HRV) to determine whether yoga provides
short-term protection against emotional stimuli. Both time-domain and frequency-domain
measures of HRV were assessed. Forty healthy, female college students completed a thirty-min
session of YogaFit along with a time-matched seated rest condition on separate days. After
each condition, participants viewed 30 min of emotional picture stimuli. State anxiety, HR,
and HRV were assessed baseline, post-condition, and post-exposure to emotional stimuli.

Inclusion Criteria:

The inclusion criteria included women who:

- were between 18 and 25 years of age;

- were not suffering from any medical conditions that would influence the results or
compromise safety during training—such as disorders effecting balance, or pregnancy;

- who were not taking antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication;

- were not clinically diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder in the previous six
months;

- were within the normal range (± 1 SD from the M) for female college students for trait
anxiety according to Spielberger's Trait Anxiety Inventory [(STAI-Y2); range: 40.40 ±
10.15] (Spielberger 1983);

- were within normal (minimal to mild) levels of depression according to the Beck
Depression Inventory [(BDI); range: 0-18] (Oliver and Simmons 1984);

- had a normal menstrual cycle (cycles occurring less than every 26 to 35 days and
lasting less than 2 or more than 7 days);

- were not considered high-risk for dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) based on a
standardized questionnaire approved by the University Radiation Safety Committee; and

- were familiar with yoga or had not participated in at least 3 yoga practice sessions.

Exclusion Criteria:

- The exclusion criteria included women who:

- were less than 18 or more than 25 years of age;

- were suffering from any medical conditions that would influence the results or
compromise safety during training—such as disorders effecting balance, or
pregnancy;

- who were taking antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication;

- were clinically diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder in the previous six
months;

- were not within the normal range (± 1 SD from the M) for female college students
for trait anxiety according to Spielberger's Trait Anxiety Inventory [(STAI-Y2);
range: 40.40 ± 10.15];

- were not within normal (minimal to mild) levels of depression according to the
Beck Depression Inventory [(BDI); range: 0-18];

- had an abnormal menstrual cycle (cycles occurring less than every 26 to 35 days
and lasting less than 2 or more than 7 days);

- were considered high-risk for dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) based on a
standardized questionnaire approved by the University Radiation Safety Committee;
and

- were not familiar with yoga or had not participated in at least 3 yoga practice
sessions.