Placebo Effect in Field-Based Physical Performance

Starting soon · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Physical Performance, Placebo Effect, Cognitive Performance

In brief

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.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07742150

Run by

Poznan University of Physical Education

People needed

120

Starts

2026-09-01

Expected to finish

2029-03-31

Last updated by the study team

2026-08-03

Who can join

Age: 20 and older, up to 35. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Age between 20 and 35 years,
• Healthy adults,
• Regular physical activity,
• Normal or corrected-to-normal vision,
• Habitual caffeine consumption.

You may not qualify if…

• 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.

Where it is running

• Poznan University of Physical Education — Poznan, Greater Poland Voivodeship, Poland

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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