Effect of Open-placebo Intervention on Cycling Performance

This study investigated the effect of open-placebo on cycling time-trial (TT) performance. Twenty-eight trained female cyclists completed a 1-km cycling TT following a control session or an open-placebo intervention. The intervention consisted of an individual presentation, provided by a medic, in which the concept of open-placebo was explained to the participant, before she ingested two red and white capsules containing flour; 15 min later, they performed the TT. In the control session, the participant sat quietly for 20 min.

Inclusion criteria

• Females aged between 18 and 45 years old;
• A minimum of one-year training experience in cycling.

Exclusion criteria

• Smokers
• Chronic disease
• Prior or current use of steroids
• Use of creatine in the last 6 months
• Use of beta-alanine in the last 6 months