This study provides novel evidence that the psychological benefits of a single session of resistance exercise (RE) occur independently of participants’ expectations, even in individuals with elevated anxiety symptoms. In a secondary analysis of existing trial data, Rice et al. examined whether anticipated psychological outcomes predicted actual changes in state anxiety and mood after acute RE in young adults with and without analogue generalized anxiety disorder. Contrary to the hypothesis that placebo-like expectations would influence results, there were no significant associations between pre-exercise expectations and post-exercise anxiety or mood measures.
The findings advance the exercise-mental health field in three keyways. First, they help disentangle true physiological effects of RE from placebo effects, a persistent challenge in behavioural interventions where double-blinding is impossible. Second, the work highlights that acute RE, did not significantly reduce anxiety or mood disturbance in this untrained sample, suggesting that immediate psychological benefits of RE may be modest or delayed, and clinicians should encourage resistance exercise training to maximise anxiolytic effects. Finally, this study lays groundwork for future trials to refine placebo-control methods and to identify mechanisms, beyond expectations, that drive exercise’s mental health impacts.
Collectively, this research informs clinical and public health strategies by emphasizing that the mental health outcomes of acute RE are likely attributable to the exercise itself rather than participants’ expectations, strengthening the rationale for RE as a stand-alone or adjunctive therapy for anxiety disorders.
Jennifer Rice is a PhD student in the Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences at the University of Limerick. Contact: Jennifer.rice@ul.ie. Follow on twitter: @JenniferMayRice LinkedIn, Researchgate, ORCID: 0000-0002-5610-1156
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