title: An investigation of exercise and the placebo effect.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To replicate previous research that concluded exercise affects health via a placebo effect: simply telling workers with physically active jobs that their "work is exercise" improves health.
  
  
  METHODS
  A convenience sample of university building service workers (n=53) learned "their work is exercise" or about job safety.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Groups demonstrated similar outcomes at 4 and 8 weeks for weight, percent fat, waist circumference, and behavioral measures. Both groups increased self-perception as "regular exercisers"; blood pressure was reduced only in the intervention group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This research did not support the placebo effect. Although enticing, simply changing mind-set does not alter the relationship between exercise and health.
authors.affiliation: The University of Texas at Austin, Kinesiology and Health Education, USA. d.stanforth@mail.utexas.edu
authors.forename: Dixie
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stanforth
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Steinhardt
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mackert
authors.forename: Philip R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Stanforth
authors.forename: Christian T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Gloria
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009790:Occupations; D015990:Placebo Effect; D012649:Self Concept; D014937:Work