Machine Learning exploratory technic detected that men might be up to eight times more affected by the control effect and three times more affected by the placebo effect than women

Background: The Placebo effect has been historically described since the beginning of Medicine. When the most skeptical researchers say they do not believe in Noetic Science but use a placebo in their research, they generate an apparent contradiction. The present study aimed to understand the noetic influence on high-level athletes, using a sportomics strategy, statistical exploratory techniques of machine learning and holistic analysis. Methods: The study included 14 volunteer volleyball athletes. Each volunteer was submitted to four running tests of 3,000 meters, on a 400-meter track, with one test each subsequent day. On the first day, the athletes performed the first test of 3,000, aiming to adapt to the trial (ADAPT 1), and on the second day, the same adaptation (ADAPT 2). On the third and fourth days, the placebos were introduced, and on the third day, the athletes received the information that that would be just a placebo, which was called (CONTROL). On the fourth day, when the identical placebo was given, the athletes received the information that it would be a new cutting-edge nutritional supplement being studied (PLACEBO). Results: Men might be up to eight times more affected by the control effect and three times more by the placebo effect than women. Regarding performance, there was an antagonistic behavior concerning gender for the control effect and an agonistic effect for the placebo effect, but with less impact on women. Men also showed a faster adaptation to the test. Conclusion: Noetic science, always considered but never assumed by researchers, is confirmed when the present study reveals that men are more affected by the control effect and the placebo effect than women, with antagonistic behavior concerning gender for the control effect and an agonist effect for the placebo effect, but with less impact on women about performance. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest.