The 6th Congress of Exercise and Sport Sciences

Significant Effects of Information Placebo on Exercise Tests: Results from Children with Normal Weight, Overweight and Obesity

Shira fanti 1 Daphna Birenbaum-Carmeli 1 Dan Nemet 2 Michal Pantanowitz 2,3 Alon Eliakim 2
1Cheryl Spencer Department of Nursing, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
2Pediatric Department, Child Health and Sports Center, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel
3The Academic College at Wingate, Netanya, Israel

Aim: The aim of the study was to examine the effect of information placebo on fitness test results in normal weight, overweight and obese children.

Methods: Twenty-four pre-pubertal children with overweight or obesity and 24 age- and maturity-matched normal weight children performed a progressive treadmill exercise test, twice. Different types of information were randomly provided regarding a water drink consumed prior to testing; standard (water) versus deliberate positive (presumed energy drink, placebo) information.

Results: Following the placebo drink, both groups demonstrated a significantly higher peak heart rate (overweight 165.8 ±16.7 versus 174.2±14.8bpm and normal weight 177.9±13.6 versus 189.8±12.2bpm) and longer time to exhaustion (overweight 396.9±161.9 versus 521.5±182.5 sec; normal weight: 700.1±155.2 versus 893.3±150.1seconds). Despite the longer exercise duration and higher peak heart rate, the average and peak rate of perceived exertion were significantly lower after the placebo drink (overweight 14.1±2.5 versus 12.5±2.5; normal weight 12.1±1.4 versus 10.7±1.5), with a significantly shorter recovery time (overweight 132.2±28.5 versus 118.4±31.6; normal weight: 106.7±18.6 versus 96.7±17.8 seconds).

Conclusion: Our results demonstrate a significant effect of information placebo on fitness test results that is unrelated to body weight. Children with obesity may enhance their physical activity levels and energy expenditure if properly encouraged.

Shira fanti
Shira fanti
Meir Medical Center








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