The Role of Attention in Modulating the Placebo Effect

Participants will be provided with a chest strap for heart rate measurement (the strap will be washed and disinfected after each session), connected to the Polar Beat app downloaded by the researcher. Subsequently, each participant will perform an initial 10-minute baseline warm-up session (a cadence of 70-80 RPM will be requested). From the cycle ergometer display, values for watts (the amount of work done per second), power (the amount of work done over a certain period of time), and speed (expressed in kilometers per hour) will also be extracted. During the test, no visual or verbal feedback will be provided. Participants will be blind to the cycle ergometer screen, so the data will not influence their behavior. Heart rate will be continuously recorded throughout the exercise period and during the participant's recovery. Participants will then be randomized to one of the following manipulations.