Study note • PMID 24149602
The effect of tapering period on plasma pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and performance in elite male cyclists.
How to use this page
This note summarizes one study record. Check the participants, methods, results, and limitations before applying it to training.
- • Design signal: controlled study.
- • Population relevance: athlete/trained context.
- • Consistency: single-study evidence.
- • Practical recommendation depends on tolerance, context, and whether it protects training consistency.
ELI5
In plain language
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of two different tapering period lengths on the concentration of plasma interleukin- 6 (IL-6), interleukin (IL-1beta) and tumor necrosis… (controlled study; n=12 elite cyclists).
Effects on Time-trial performance are mixed or unclear from the abstract alone. Treat this as a signal, not a guarantee; confirm methods and context in the full paper.
Takeaways
What the abstract suggests
- • Study question: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of two different tapering period lengths on the concentration of plasma interleukin- 6 (IL-6), interleukin (IL-1beta) and tumor necrosis…
- • Effects on Time-trial performance are mixed or unclear from the abstract alone.
- • Population: n=12 elite cyclists.
- • Protocol cues (title/abstract): 8 weeks • 3 weeks • 3 week • 1 week • 40 min.
Protocol
Protocol (as reported)
- • Intervention/exposure: taper, tapering (vs control group).
- • Dose/time/duration cues in abstract/title: 8 weeks • 3 weeks • 3 week • 1 week • 40 min.
- • Outcomes: Time-trial performance.
- • Replication note: abstracts often omit adherence and timing; confirm details before changing training or supplementation.
Fit
Who it may help, and who should be cautious
Who it helps
- • Athletes similar to the study population (n=12 elite cyclists) working on tapering.
- • Athletes who can measure Time-trial performance with a repeatable workout or time-trial effort.
Who should be cautious
- • If you have symptoms or conditions that make the intervention risky, get professional guidance.
- • If you’re near race day and can’t safely test, defer the experiment.
Methods
What the study actually did
- • Design: controlled study.
- • Population: n=12 elite cyclists.
- • Comparator: control group.
- • Outcomes measured: Time-trial performance.
- • Protocol cues mentioned: 8 weeks • 3 weeks • 3 week • 1 week • 40 min.
- • Source: PubMed PMID 24149602 (2009) — Journal of sports science & medicine.
Results excerpt
What the abstract reports
“These results demonstrate that both a 1 and a 3 week taper period will result in improved physical performance in trained cyclists but only a 3 week taper period will result in attenuation of post-exercise pro- inflammatory cytokines when compared to those continuing…”
Note: excerpts are short; for full context, read the paper.
Limits
Limitations and bias
- • Abstract-only summaries can miss critical details (population, protocol, adherence, and context).
- • Single studies often don’t generalize to your event, history, and training load; treat results as a starting point.
- • If your context differs (elite vs recreational; cycling vs running), adjust expectations and be conservative.
- • This is performance information, not medical advice.
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