The Power of the Mind: The Placebo Effect in Sports

February 20, 2025

Physical preparation and mental strength both play a crucial role in determining success in sports.
But what happens when the mere belief in having received external support leads to improved performance, regardless of its actual effectiveness?
This phenomenon, known as the placebo effect, has fascinated scientists for years, proving how much the mind can influence athletic performance.
To what extent can simple suggestion impact an athlete’s performance? And what are its implications?

What Is the Placebo Effect?

The placebo effect occurs when a person experiences a real benefit after receiving a treatment with no active ingredients, simply because they believe in its effectiveness.  

Studies have shown that an athlete convinced of undergoing an innovative therapy, for example, may actually see an improvement in their performance.  

This happens because the mind, deeply connected to the body, triggers a series of physiological and biochemical responses that can optimize muscle activity, reduce the perception of fatigue, and even increase endurance.

The Brain as a Natural Performance Booster

The placebo effect manifests itself through various mechanisms.

One of the most studied is the release of neurotransmitters that act on the central nervous system, improving mood, reducing pain, and increasing motivation.

Additionally, the expectation of improvement activates the motor cortex, making movement control more efficient.

Athletes convinced they have taken performance-enhancing substances—when, in reality, they were given inert compounds—have shown increases in strength and endurance similar to those produced by real anabolic steroids.

This experiment demonstrates how the mere belief in having received assistance can generate tangible physiological changes.

The Significance of the Placebo Effect in Sports

Several experiments have confirmed the power of suggestion in athletic preparation.  

Researchers at the University of Glasgow gave a group of cyclists a placebo, making them believe it was a muscle oxygenation supplement.

The results showed an increase in their average speed and a reduction in perceived fatigue.  

Another study, published in the Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, examined the impact of the placebo effect on endurance athletes.  

Participants, convinced they were undergoing a muscle recovery treatment, reported faster recovery times and a lower incidence of post-training soreness, despite not receiving any active substances.

The Dark Side of the Mind

Just as the placebo effect can enhance performance, its opposite can undermine it.  

An athlete experiences the nocebo effect when they believe that a certain factor will negatively impact their performance.

This could be a minor discomfort, a change in diet, or a small injury.  

In such cases, the mind amplifies feelings of fatigue, reduces coordination, and increases the likelihood of technical and tactical errors.  

Athletes who were told they had ingested a harmful substance—when, in reality, it was a harmless placebo—showed a decrease in muscle strength and an increase in physiological stress, once again confirming how crucial the psychological component is. 

Should the Placebo Effect Be Used in Sports?

Is it ethical to use the power of suggestion to enhance athletic performance?  

Some coaches and sports psychologists apply mental training techniques and motivational strategies based on self-suggestion to stimulate athletes.  

Mental visualization and positive affirmations, for example, mimic the placebo effect, enhancing confidence and determination.

Sports supplement and tech companies use expectations to highlight product benefits, often amplified by the placebo effect.

The Mind as a Powerful Ally

The mind is an extraordinary resource for human potential.  

The placebo effect acts as a powerful ally in sports, influencing performance as much as physical training.

The belief in surpassing one’s limits can translate into real results, turning suggestion into a tool for growth and improvement.  

Understanding and harnessing this phenomenon gives athletes a decisive advantage.

If you’d like a free consultation to discover what kind of sponsorship might suit you, contact us. We’re waiting for you!