Placebo Effect in Field-Based Physical Performance | NCT07742150

NCT07742150

Overview

NCT ID: NCT07742150
Lead Sponsor: Poznan University of Physical EducationOTHER
Official Title: Psychophysiological Mechanisms of the Placebo Effect on Physical Performance in Field Settings
Brief Summary: This study aims to investigate the placebo (PLA) effect on physical performance across different sports disciplines in real-world, field-based settings. The study investigates how participant expectations and beliefs regarding caffeine (CAF) intake influence physical performance and psychomotor function outside the controlled laboratory environment. Healthy, physically active adults (n = 120) from diverse sports backgrounds will be randomly assigned to receive caffeine, placebo, or no intervention. Participants will perform discipline-specific field exercise tests (e.g., running-based protocols or repeated sprint protocols) while physiological responses are monitored using wearable technology. Physical performance outcomes and psychomotor responses will be analyzed to evaluate the real-world impact of the placebo effect and to distinguish the pharmacological effects of caffeine from those driven by psychological expectations across different athletic settings.

Status and Timeline

Status: Not yet recruiting
Last Update Posted: Aug 3, 2026Actual
Start Date: Sep 1, 2026Estimated
Primary Completion Date: Mar 31, 2028Estimated
Completion Date

Participation Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study: Adult (18-64)
Sexes Eligible for Study: All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: Yes
Eligibility Criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

Age between 20 and 35 years,

Healthy adults,

Regular physical activity,

Normal or corrected-to-normal vision,

Habitual caffeine consumption.

Exclusion Criteria:

History of neurological, psychiatric, cardiovascular, or metabolic disorders,

Current use of medication or supplements affecting the central nervous system,

Musculoskeletal injuries that would impair physical performance,

No habitual caffeine consumption or severe negative side effects of caffeine,

Diagnosed sleep disorders or chronic fatigue,

Diagnosed major depressive disorder or other severe psychiatric conditions,

Presence of any menstrual disorders,

Inability to attend all experimental study visits.

Study Plan

Study Type: Interventional
Phase: Not Applicable
Enrollment: 120Estimated
Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Quadruple

Contacts and Locations

Central Contacts: Jakub Malik, PhDContact
malik@awf.poznan.pl+48739975701

Similar Studies

Participant Group/Arms

Caffeine GroupExperimental

Participants ingest a single dose of caffeine (6mg/kg body mass) prior to a field-based exercise protocol (e.g., Cooper test or Repeated Sprint Ability).

Drug: Caffeine (6mg/kg)

Placebo GroupActive Comparator

Participants ingest a single dose of placebo (corn starch) in an identical capsule prior to a field-based exercise protocol.

Other: Placebo (Starch capsule)

Control GroupSham Comparator

Participants perform the same field-based exercise protocol without ingesting any capsule or active substance.

Other: Sham (No Treatment)