Study note • PMID 37163550
Effects of tapering on performance in endurance athletes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Low risk + high feasibility for most athletes.
ELI5
In plain language
To assess the responses to taper in endurance athletes using meta-analysis. (systematic review / meta-analysis; well-trained athletes).
Results section: no clear change in Time-trial performance, Recovery speed under the tested conditions. Treat this as a signal, not a guarantee; confirm methods and context in the full paper.
Takeaways
What the abstract suggests
- • Study question: To assess the responses to taper in endurance athletes using meta-analysis.
- • Results section: no clear change in Time-trial performance, Recovery speed under the tested conditions.
- • Population: well-trained athletes.
- • Protocol cues (full paper): 6 days • 7 days • 14 days • 21 days • 22 days.
Protocol
Protocol (as reported)
- • Intervention/exposure: taper, tapering.
- • Dose/time/duration cues found in the full paper: 6 days • 7 days • 14 days • 21 days • 22 days.
- • Outcomes: Time-trial performance, Recovery speed.
- • Replication note: abstracts often omit adherence and timing; confirm details before changing training or supplementation.
Fit
Who it helps, and who should skip it
Who it helps
- • Athletes similar to the study population (well-trained athletes) working on tapering.
- • Athletes who can measure Time-trial performance, Recovery speed with a repeatable workout or time-trial effort.
Who should skip
- • 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: systematic review / meta-analysis (randomized).
- • Population: well-trained athletes.
- • Outcomes measured: Time-trial performance, Recovery speed.
- • Protocol cues mentioned: 7 days • 14 days • 21 days.
- • Source: PubMed PMID 37163550 (2023) — PloS one.
Full paper
What the full paper adds
- • Design features (paper): randomized.
- • Participants (paper): well-trained athletes.
- • More protocol detail (paper): 6 days • 7 days • 14 days • 21 days • 22 days.
- • Results section: no clear change in Time-trial performance, Recovery speed under the tested conditions.
Results excerpt
What the abstract reports
“14 studies were included in this meta-analysis.”
Note: excerpts are short; for full context, read the paper.
Limits
Limitations & bias
- • Abstract-only summaries can miss critical details (population, protocol, adherence, and context).
- • Reviews and consensus statements mix protocols and populations; recommendations may not match your exact constraints.
- • 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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