In a prospective study of twenty male cyclists, participants rode a stationary bike three times a week for 20km as fast as possible. Before each ride, they were given either acupuncture, sham acupuncture as a control, or no intervention, once each and in a random order.
Cyclists receiving acupuncture before their ride, achieved greater levels of exertion and faster cycling times, and experienced less pain.
(The Acute Effect of Acupuncture on 20km Cycling Performance. Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine 2008 January.)