EXTREME CONDITIONING TRAINING: ACUTE EFFECTS ON MOOD STATE

ABSTRACT Introduction: The search for strategies aimed at reducing daily stress is increasing in the current literature. As a result, several types of fitness training are constantly being investigated for their influence on mood states. However, we know little about strategies that use higher intensities. Objective: To investigate the acute effects of an extreme conditioning training (ECT) session on the mood states of individuals with or without prior experience in this type of training. Methods: Volunteers were divided into TRAINED (n = 10) and CONDITIONED (n = 10) groups, undergoing a single 9-minute ECT session. Mood states (BRUMS scale) were analyzed at baseline, immediately afterwards, and after 30 minutes. Results: Anger, confusion and tension were significantly reduced in both groups immediately afterwards and post 30 minutes. The TRAINED group showed a significant reduction in fatigue 30 minutes after the end of the session. Effect size for all variables was considered small to moderate. The TRAINED group had significantly increased vigor immediately after the end of the session compared to baseline. However, the CONDITIONED group had significantly reduced vigor 30 minutes afterwards, in comparison to baseline. The increase in vigor in the TRAINED group was considered moderate (ES = 0.68), while the decrease in vigor in the CONDITIONED group was considered major (ES = −0.88). Conclusion: An ECT session is powerful enough to induce significant, albeit small and moderate, changes in mood states in both trained and untrained individuals in this particular type of exercise. Level of evidence II, Therapeutic studies-investigation of treatment results.