The influence of brief episodes of aerobic exercise activity, soothing music-nature scenes condition, and suggestion on coping with test taking anxiety
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-1996
Publisher
International Stress Management Association
Abstract
This study examines the influence of aerobic exercise activity, soothing musicnature scenes condition, and suggestion on coping with test-taking anxiety. Sixty test anxious subjects were randomly assigned to four treatment groups consisting of 15-min episodes of exercise or soothing music-nature scenes condition with or without verbal suggestion that the treatment task in which they were engaged would be helpful to them. A videotaped “intelligence test” used to stimulate test-taking anxiety was given to the subjects after the soothing music-nature scenes condition or exercise tasks. The Multiple Affect Adjective Checklist (MAACL) was used to appraise anxiety during the laboratory procedures. Results indicate that exercise, soothing music-nature scenes condition, and suggestion play a role in reducing anxiety. While relaxation activity proved to be superior to exercise in reducing anxiety immediately following the “treatment” episode, these differences disappear following exposure to a stressful “IQ test” and exercise (as well as suggestion) had a better stress inoculation effect than soothing music-nature scenes condition or no suggestion.
Recommended Citation
Plante, T. G., Marcotte, D., Manuel, G., & Willemsen, E. (1996). The influence of brief episodes of aerobic exercise activity, soothing music-nature scenes condition, and suggestion on coping with test taking anxiety. International Journal of Stress Management, 3, 155-166.
