Deception Has No Residual Effect On Perceptual Responses Or Time Trial Performance

Abstract

PURPOSE: Previous experience is widely accepted as a fundamental determinant of pacing strategies during exercise. The deception of feedback and performance knowledge is a current method used to investigate the influence of beliefs and expectations on exercise regulation. Research examining the deception of previous performance knowledge, however, has been limited. Furthermore, the residual effects of deception have also been seldom explored. This study aimed to investigate the residual effects of previous performance deception on perceptual responses and performance in 16.1 km self-paced cycling time trials (TT). METHODS: Twenty trained male cyclists were randomly assigned to control (CON) or deception (DEC) groups and completed 16.1 km cycling TT using a CompuTrainer cycle ergometer. In a PACER trial, the cyclists’ fastest baseline performance (FBL) was projected on-screen as a visual avatar. The CON group received accurate feedback but the avatar was unknowingly set 2% faster in the DEC group. A final subsequent ride-alone TT (SUB) was then performed. Power output, affect, RPE, self-efficacy, heart rate and respiratory gases were measured throughout each TT. RESULTS: Performance time was significantly faster in PACER than FBL (MD = -21.0 s, P = 0.039) but similar between FBL and SUB (MD = -9.1 s, P = 0.13) and no significant group x trial interaction was found (P > 0.05). From FBL to PACER, the DEC group experienced more negative affect, higher RPE and lower self-efficacy (P < 0.001) but no differences were found between FBL and SUB (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The deception of previous performance knowledge has no residual effect on perceptual responses or performance in 16.1 km self-paced cycling TT. Acute improvements in performance are elicited during the deceptive exposure but are accompanied by negative perceptual responses, and these effects are not manifest in subsequent exercise.