Does Exercise Prevent Exacerbation of Anxiety-Related Vulnerability Factors Following An Analogue Stressor: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

The most common mental disorders are anxiety-related disorders (Andlin-Sobocki & Wittchen, 2005). The diathesis-stress model of psychopathology explains that stressors interact with vulnerability factors to influence the development of anxiety-related disorders (Monroe & Simmons, 1991); therefore, modifying vulnerability factors before a stressor occurs may reduce or prevent anxiety. Researchers have observed significant reductions in anxiety-related vulnerability factors following as little as a single session of exercise (Asmundson et al., 2013), suggesting exercise effectively targets vulnerability factors. Research is needed to investigate whether exercise interventions implemented prior to a stressful event can target anxiety-related vulnerability factors, thereby protecting against future anxiety or distress. The current randomized controlled trial assessed whether exercise could prevent elevations in measures of anxiety-related vulnerability factors following a stressful exposure. A nonclinical sample of community adults was randomly assigned to complete a 30-minute exercise protocol on a stationary bike (experimental condition) or lightly stretch for 30 minutes (placebo control condition). All participants subsequently watched a traumatic film clip used as an analogue stressor. Participants completed measures of anxiety-related vulnerability factors—state and trait anxiety, anxiety sensitivity (AS), distress tolerance (DT), and intolerance of uncertainty (IU)—at baseline, after exercise, after the analogue stressor, and at 3-day and 7-day follow-ups. Participants in the experimental group did not report statistically significantly lower scores on measures of vulnerability factors compared to the placebo control group. Overall, vulnerability factor scores were relatively stable across time. Effects of time were observed, demonstrating anxiolytic effects of physical activity that protected both groups against elevations in putative anxiety-related vulnerability factors. The results offer initial support for the efficacy of both exercise and stretching control to prevent elevations in AS, IU, state anxiety, trait anxiety, and reductions in DT, although analyses may have been underpowered. The current trial offers practical implications for individuals who regularly experience potentially traumatic events, as well as community adults who deal with minor daily stressors.