Effect of open-placebo on performance of trained cyclists

• Grant number: 20/04368-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2020
• End date: December 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physical Education
• Principal Investigator: Bryan Saunders
• Grantee: Tamires Nunes Oliveira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The placebo effect can provide a competitive advantage, and there is evidence that it can occur even when individuals are openly informed that they are receiving a drug or supplement without an active component, an intervention called open-placebo. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effect of an open-placebo intervention on 4-km cycling time-trial performance of trained cyclists. Methods: 24 trained cyclists, 18 to 40 years old, will be recruited. Participants will perform a 4-km time-trial on a cycle ergometer. In one of the visits, participants will receive two capsules in white and red, each containing 100mg of flour, and after a 15-minute period they will perform the test (open placebo condition; PLAAB). In the other session, they will not receive any supplement and after 15 minutes of waiting, they will perform the test (control condition; CON). A one-way ANOVA will be performed to detect differences in interventions (PLAAB and CON) on the performance variables (average power output). We hypothesize that it is possible to obtain competitive advantages through the use of an open placebo. Therefore, the use of placebo will become combined with competitive strategies in sports.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

GUARDIEIRO, NATALIA MENDES; BARRETO, GABRIEL; MARTICORENA, FELIPE MIGUEL; OLIVEIRA, TAMIRES NUNES; DE OLIVEIRA, LUANA FARIAS; PINTO, ANA LUCIA DE SA; DO PRADO, DANILO MARCELO LEITE; SAUNDERS, BRYAN; GUALANO, BRUNO. A Cloth Facemask Causes No Major Respiratory or Cardiovascular Perturbations During Moderate to Heavy Exercise. JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY & HEALTH, v. 20, n. 1, p. 10-pg., 2023-01-01. (21/05847-8, 16/50438-0, 20/12036-3, 17/13552-2, 21/06836-0, 20/04368-6)

MARTICORENA, FELIPE MIGUEL; BARRETO, GABRIEL CASTANHO; GUARDIEIRO, NATALIA MENDES; ESTEVES, GABRIEL PERRI; OLIVEIRA, TAMIRES NUNES; DE OLIVEIRA, LUANA FARIAS; PINTO, ANA LUCIA DE SA; RIANI, LUIZ; PRADO, DANILO MENDES; SAUNDERS, BRYAN; et al. Performing moderate to severe activity is safe and tolerable for healthy youth while wearing a cloth facemask. PLoS One, v. 18, n. 3, p. 11-pg., 2023-03-06. (21/05847-8, 16/50438-0, 20/12036-3, 17/13552-2, 20/07860-9, 20/04368-6)