Reductions in state anxiety have been reported following an acute bout of aerobic exercise. However, less is known regarding anxiety and fear ratings to specific threatening stimuli following an acute bout of aerobic exercise in women with PTSD. Moreover, the mechanisms responsible for the anxiolytic effects of exercise are not fully understood, although recent studies suggest a role for the endocannabinoid (eCB) system. Thus, this study utilized a randomized, counterbalanced approach to examine anxiety and fear ratings to predictable or unpredictable electric shock administration and circulating concentrations of eCBs and mood states immediately following moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (30 min on treadmill at 70–75% maximum heart rate) and a quiet rest control condition in women with and without a history of trauma, and in women with PTSD (N = 42). Results revealed that anxiety and fear ratings to unpredictable and predictable threats were significantly (p < .05) lower following exercise compared to quiet rest, with correlational analyses indicating those with greater increases in circulating eCBs had greater reductions in anxiety and fear ratings to unpredictable and predictable threats following exercise. Also, there were significant (p < .05) reductions in fatigue, confusion, total mood disturbance, and increases in positive affect following exercise for the entire sample. Non-trauma controls and PTSD groups reported significant (p < .05) increases in vigor, with additional mood improvements following exercise for the PTSD group (i.e., decreases in state anxiety, negative affect, tension, anger, and depression). Results from this study suggest that aerobic exercise exerts psychological benefits in women with PTSD, potentially due to exercise-induced increases in circulating concentrations of eCBs.

据报道，经过剧烈的有氧运动后，状态焦虑会有所减轻。然而，对于患有 PTSD 的女性在剧烈有氧运动后对特定威胁刺激的焦虑和恐惧评级知之甚少。此外，尽管最近的研究表明内源性大麻素（eCB）系统发挥了作用，但运动的抗焦虑作用机制尚不完全清楚。因此，本研究采用随机、平衡的方法来检查可预测或不可预测的电击管理的焦虑和恐惧评级以及中等强度有氧运动（在跑步机上以 70-75% 最大心率进行 30 分钟）后 eCB 的循环浓度和情绪状态。有或没有外伤史的女性以及患有 PTSD 的女性 (N = 42) 中的睡眠率）和安静的休息控制条件。结果显示，与安静休息相比，运动后对不可预测和可预测威胁的焦虑和恐惧等级显着降低 ( p < .05)，相关分析表明，循环 eCB 增加较多的人对不可预测威胁的焦虑和恐惧等级降低幅度更大以及运动后可预测的威胁。此外，整个样本的疲劳、混乱、总体情绪障碍显着减少 ( p < .05)，运动后积极情绪增加。非创伤对照组和 PTSD 组报告活力显着 ( p < .05) 增加，PTSD 组运动后情绪得到额外改善（即状态焦虑、负面情绪、紧张、愤怒和抑郁的减少）。 这项研究的结果表明，有氧运动对患有 PTSD 的女性具有心理益处，这可能是由于运动引起的 eCB 循环浓度增加。