Women experienced greater relief of stress and anxiety after vigorous exercise than after moderate activity. There is still a lot of debate over how much exercise and at what level gives most health benefit. Researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia have been looking at the effect of exercise on anxiety.

A group of women aged either 18 to 20 or 35 to 45 were assigned to either no exercise or a session of either moderate or vigorous exercise. Anxiety levels were measured before and at intervals after exercise.

The researchers learned that while all the women experienced a decrease in anxiety, this was most marked for those taking vigorous exercise. Given that stress and anxiety play an important role in the development of heart disease, taking vigorous exercise may be a good way of keeping the heart healthy.

Source:
University of Missouri-Columbia 11th July 2003